Season Starts on a high For U16 squad

Diss took a strong squad to the annual Norfolk 10's festival at North Walsham and showed why the long pre-season training was paying off for the team.
The first of four 15 minute games was against a strong North Walsham team. The early stage of the game was very even and a very physical game with both sides very strong in attack and defence. Walsham broke the deadlock early on with a try but Diss soon rallied and scored out wide via Alfie Payne in the corner showing his pace. The game was locked evenly until a controversial line out decision led to a penalty being awarded in the last minute for Walsham to go 10-5 up .

The second game was the first of two encounters against a large Crusaders squad who fielded two sides on the day. Diss started very strongly with good procession of the ball allowing Dom Bell-tye to score from great counter attack . Again a very physical challenge where Diss came on top and scored 3 more tries from Toby Drake, Corey Carnwell and a last minute try from Chris Lumbery. A good performance with some noted strong running support in attack from Jack Elliot and Ben Morter who both nearly went over for more points. Final score 20 - 0.

The third game was against Crusaders 2 where early stages were closely contested . Diss soon showed why all the pre-season training was paying off as scrum Half Aaron Firth continued to supply quick pin pointed passes to the backs and quick hands by Will Rapkin put Toby Drake in for his first of two tries. Strong support in the loose by Sam Geard, Tom Lymbery and Ethan Rudling gave good phase after phase ball resulting in Dom Bell-tye touching down. Crusaders counter attacked in the middle of the game and scored two quick ties to level but again Diss reacted with two further ties from Corey Carnwell and a second for Toby Drake. Great work in the loose by Sam Burnett insured Diss came out 25-10 winners.

The last game was against a Ba ba's side made up of Fakenham and Watton players . With Diss having to defend in their 22 and some great tackling from Ranulph Brooke and Jed Carter held a strong line to soak up the pressure until a break away opportunity for Captain Dom Bell-Tye to open the scoring for Diss. The Opposition hit back with two tries and again Diss had to defend until a break in the line saw Corey Carnwell score the first of his two tries . The Ba Ba's came back even stronger with another quick score to even the game at 15-15. Good fast ball handling had been the key to Diss rugby and Aaron Firth again gave good ball out to Will Rapkin who once again thread through the defence to allow Toby Drake on the outside to glide down the wing to touch down, shortly followed by Alfie Payne coming from deep in our 22 to sprint in for the last try. Final score 25-15.
A great team performance where the physical and mental strength shone through the whole squad with a play for all you team mates attitude.
Great rugby and a season that should show high potential.

Team; Jack Elliott, Aaron Firth, Jed Carter, Sam Burnett, Ran Brooke, Will Rapkin, Dom Bell-tye (Capt), Corey Carnwell, Ben Morter,Chris Lymbery, Tom Lymbery,Toby Drake, Sam Geard, Ethan Rudling , Alfie Payne.