Diss U13's success at Eastern Counties Festival II

Diss U13’s had a very successful Sunday with a first ever win over North Walsham, a gritty, hard-fought win over Swaffam and a frustrating narrow loss to Beccles. The result reinforced the upward development being made by the team, both individually and as a unit.

The U13 boys travelled to Holt to play in the second of 3 Eastern Counties tournaments featuring teams from across the region. The format was 3 x 20 minutes games with Diss drawn against North Walsham, Beccles and Swaffam.

21 boys were on the touchline which with a number of boys unavailable shows the strength in depth we now have. With 13 a side Coach Johnny did a great job in rotating the team to give everyone a good time on the pitch, a nice problem to have and such a change from last year when we often borrowed players.

On a cold but dry day Diss faced North Walsham in the first match - a team that had crushed the boys in every previous encounter through U12’s and 13’s. However now bolstered by a squad equal in size to their adversaries the boys were able to compete on an equal footing.

From the off Diss dominated, winning balls, holding possession and combining strength of forward direct running with intelligent distribution. The speed of the Diss backs is a potent weapon, and when the boys pass the ball down the line there are few teams who can resist this threat.

The rewards were immediate and at half time Diss were up 5:0 (trys) scored by Stephen Chaoldson, Charlie North, Peace Joshua, Jacob Fairweather, Jaden Johnson. No trys were a ‘solo score’, each was crafted by the whole team. The pressure from Diss was relentless, squeezing Walsham who I am sure were not expecting this.

After the changeover it felt that Diss dropped their intensity. Combined with a change in Walsham tactics it allowed Walsham to get a finger hold on the match. Walsham started to kick deep into the backfield and charge into the space. The result was 2 quick trys (5:2). It was countered by a fine Diss forwards try finished off by Charlie North (6:2). The rest of the match was a nervous affair with Walsham buoyed by their new tactics getting success and scoring 2 more trys for the match to end 6:4 to Diss.

It was a great victory for the boys – well earned through hard work and good rugby. Hopefully lessons learnt about keeping focus for the full match and also adjusting to different opposition tactics (one for Johnny and Mark to pick up in training).

This milestone result is testimony to how far the team has come. There is no doubt the new recruits have made a difference. But equally the long standing players continue to develop helped by the ‘feel good’ of having a great team around them.

The second match was against Beccles who posed a ‘larger’ threat. The boys struggled to get and retain possession. In the rucks they were regularly pushed off the ball and faced with a larger and well drilled scrum were driven back. The result was 5 unanswered trys by Beccles in the first half. However in the second half the boys found their game as they competed with the often larger and potentially ‘more mature’ opposition. Their efforts paid dividend and again getting the ball out wide they scored 2 trys finished off both times by Jacob Fairweather.

The boys left the match with self- respect and their heads held high.

The final match against Swaffam had to be held on a smaller ‘mini pitch’ as the planned full size pitch was closed due to a player injury. It meant space was really confined and our ‘speed weapons’ were nullified as there was less room to run into. The outcome was a gritty, hard, attritional match. It gave Swaffam the opportunity to compete as there is no doubt on a full sized pitch there would have been only one team in it. But, the boys have to learn to adjust and play with what they are faced with, and that is what they did.

It was tackle after tackle from both sides in the compressed space. No team giving way for both halves. Twice the Diss boys thought they had made the breakthrough. Jaden Johnson running free to the try line, unable to see the line had a slight hesitation and the ball was knocked from his hands. Then Jaiden Mutsenbewa broke free on his debut, ran three quarters of the pitch, touched down only to have been adjudged to have put one foot on the touchline. It felt it was going to end a draw, but the team with a final collective surge drove up the pitch and Charlie North was able to burst through and cross the line for what turned out to be the winning try. The team held out for the final few minutes and the second victory of the day was secure.

The boys was delighted and the memory of the day was the whoops of delight that greeted the final whistle, and the smiles as the teams congratulated each other at the end (check the photos).

It was a great afternoon and another step on the way for the team. The expanded roster means we now have strength in depth. Skills are developing and we need to continue to develop a ‘game-savvy’ approach, using all players and understanding what we do well and how to counter opposition tactics.

Well done to all. Special mentions to Connor (who was injured in the last match) who played with so much heart, and to Peace Joshua and Jaiden Mutsenbewa on their debuts. Most importantly a big thanks to Johnny and Mark for their coaching and to all parents for the support in making this happen.

Photos of the matches are on the website at the following address; https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dissrugby/photos/u13s-eastern-counties-tournament-at-holt-jan-2018-793290.html

Peter Allott 15-01-18