Diss U13’ win 8 tries vs Crusaders 0

A cold Easterly wind was offset by the warm welcome from Crusaders greeting 21 members of the Diss U13’s squad. With such a great turnout it was agreed that the match would be 15 a side – the first for the team - with Diss loaning 2 members to Crusaders. This ensured everyone got a good run out rather than standing on a freezing touchline (as was the case for the enthusiastic parents, coaches and supporters!!).

From the kick off it was clear that Diss were on the front foot with strong forward play winning rucks and good possession. Initially the match went to and fro but one felt Diss had the upper hand. And so it proved when a move out wide to the left wing allowed Jacob Fairweather to break a tackle and run free to score the first try.

From the restart Diss won a scrum and Peace Joshua as number 8 intelligently picked up the ball and ran with pace, evading tackles to make a solo break for the try line and score. This was quickly followed by a third and fourth as some excellent passing out wide first found Jacob Fairweather whose pace again took him away from defenders for the try. Then Peace Joshua was able to move around the defence running down the right to score a fine solo effort.

The match was more than just the tries scored. It was notable how well all players were supporting those running with the ball giving options for passes. Equally the quality of tackling all over the pitch was fantastic. The forwards with Stephen Chaoldson, Liam Brighton, Jake Wolfe, Charlie North, Toby Groves, Conner Fell, Peace Joshua played some excellent rugby. Competing with Crusader players of significant size the pack held their own. Joined by Alex Allott and Will Worley as first-time flankers they were also good in the scrum, winning most. Moving out from the scrum Aaron Lockitch as scrum-half had an excellent game. He used the ball intelligently, was quick at moving, and tackled ferociously.

Nathaniel Agbenowu also played scrum-half and from one of the scrum made an opportunistic break leaving the defence for dead, he looked home and dry, but the covering defender (Will Worley in a Crusader shirt) made the tackle of the match to stop Nataniel just short of the line.

In a passage of play following this, Jaiden Mutsambiwa on the right wing was able to use his deadly pace to accelerate and leave a posse of defenders trailing in his wake to score the fifth try before the half-time break.

After a tactical talk from Coaches Johnny and Mark the match restarted. An initial period of stalemate was broken by a fine solo effort from Charlie North who building on the forwards hard work ran free to score try six.

The next score was for me the try the match and showed in one move all the skills the boys have. Aaron Lockitch took the ball from a midfield scrum and ran to the right making great ground. When checked by defenders he slipped the ball inside to Joseph Davison who moved infield and passed to a rushing Charlie North whose pace and strength broke the Crusader line to score a memorable try. Such was the quality that the always-sporting Crusaders coaching staff were vocal in their appreciation.

Across the passages of play many of the team were tackling like lions, particularly Joseph Davidson, Stephen Chaoldson, Toby Groves, Zak Hills Brown, Will Worley, Alex Allott, Toby Dickenson, Inigo Diez-De Rivara and birthday boy Harry Edmonds. It goes without saying that Connor Fenn is also in this group.

The final try came from a typical Jaden Johnson move. He picked up the ball in midfield and with effortless speed, aided by a series of jinks, ran around defenders to score for Diss.

The final minutes of the match saw wave after wave of Crusader pressure on the Diss try line. The boys held firm, determined not to concede even one score. They held out and demonstrated another facet of the team – the desire to defend at all costs.

At the end of the match there were whoops of celebration for a job well done and a tremendous team effort

Coaches Johnny and Mark encourage everyone to training as there are some points they are keen to work on. A knowledge of rules to address the very high penalty count against Diss. Also some specialist forward and backs training. They mentioned how good it was that the team is playing more as a team – backing each other up. From this foundation, better passing will only move things to another level.

Coach Johnny cited Toby Groves as ‘man of match’ for his relentless work and tackling, also a special mention for Joseph Davison for work and tacking all over the pitch – but if truth be told all of the boys played a part, everyone contributed and everyone made a difference.

Thanks to all and especially Crusaders who kept going for every minute of the game, backed by an outstanding group of supporters and coaching staff.

Photos from the match can be found in the U13's section of photos

Peter Allott Feb-2018