Diss 12 : 21 Wisbech - 15th November 2015

Diss got off to a sluggish start and Wisbech retained possession for much of the first five minutes with good rucking and fine handling. After they were briefly repulsed by a strong counter-attack by Tyler Pursehouse, Wisbech passed the ball along the backs for Sam Howat to cross for the opening try, converted by Ben Wilcox (0-7).

Diss were stunned into action, although it took a bit of individuality by Harry Williamson, ripping the ball in the tackle and running half the length of the pitch, to equal the try count. Aaron Frith added the conversion (7-7). With the sides very evenly matched, the first half came to an end with a bad leg injury to Wisbech’s George Howat; it is to be hoped that his recovery will be a swift one.

After a lengthy delay, Wisbech started the second half with the wind at their backs and their superor rucking allowed them to build long spells of pressure. Only a last ditch tackle by Ollie Stimson prevented a try but the pressure eventually told and Harvey Brown, a thorn in Diss’ side all afternoon, crashed over near the posts; Wilcox added the conversion (7-14).

The game opened up at this point, with long passages of end to end play, culminating in an outrageous dummy by Fabian Simpson and a try for Wisbech beneath the posts; again Wilcox converted (7-21). Diss refused to give in and a Williamson break and offload saw Dom Bell-Tye race down the wing to score near the corner; Frith’s conversion drifted across the posts on the strong wind and there was no further scoring (12-21).

This was a fine contest between two evenly matched teams, with the superior rucking of the Wisbech forwards probably the decisive factor. There were good performances throughout the Diss team but one player stood out; for his menacing running in attack and exemplary tackling, Harvey Newton was the coach’s player of the day.