The U14's lost their final match in the Norfolk Cup 'round robin' stage against Beccles - 52:7. The scoreline hides a performance the coaching staff and spectators were really pleased and proud of, it was is exactly the step forward we were hoping for after the last match before Xmas.

Lots of thinking and analysis over the festive period led to the realisation that the boys have to go 'back to basics' - taking some steps back to allow them to move on. This means working on tackling, passing, rucking from first principles. It will take time and there may be a few heavy scorelines, but without this foundation the team will always be exposed when the going gets tough. This has been the focus of last Sunday's and mid-week training, so it was really pleasing to see how the boys embraced this and brought many of these elements to the game. Tackling was a priority given the last match vs N Walsham, and they all stepped up in this respect against Beccles. There was a marked improvement in technique which resulted in Beccles being constantly held back (with Beccles having the bulk of the possession). The task for Diss was made harder as most of the Beccles boys were significantly larger than their Diss opponents, but this did not phase the team. Good tackling (and better technique) held out and it was gratifying to see that many of the boys 'got it' - they will gain lots of confidence from their performance.

The scoreline was one sided but the match was not. The difference was possession as Beccles had most of it while Diss had little. This was a function of Beccles winning nearly all the scrums (much larger and more experienced pack) and also winning a very high proportion of the breakdown balls and rucks (better technique and game knowledge). These points as well noted but not something we worry about as we can see where the future success will come from. For now we focus on tackling and passing as we will not fall into a trap of trying to do everything at once. Once we have this then rucking will come next - and very soon.

When Diss did have the ball they made good progress, however they were not able to keep the ball long enough to recycle and keep drives going. The biggest moment of joy for Diss came with a fine solo try by Jaiden Mutsambiwq late in the game as he stole the ball from Beccles on the halfway line and ran all way to the try line with Beccles in his wake. A fine drop goal conversion by Will Worley in a very strong wind delivered the Diss points. It was a small but hard earned reward for the team. It was very interesting to note how after the score the boys' intensity moved up a notch and they were toe to toe with Beccles having found another gear. Something we will play back to them.

This was a team performance. Everyone worked hard - took on board the training points and worked for everyone else. Well done. Connor Fell, Kit Brodie and Peace Joshua were 'mentioned in dispatches' for their fine work across the whole of the match - great examples and tackled all match long.

Next up is training on Tuesday - lots to build on and lots of positives to take away.