Diss 34 : 21 Old Alleynians - 8th November 2014

Diss produced an outstanding second half performance to secure their place in the third round draw of the RFU Intermediate Cup. Old Alleynians arrived with the intention of playing open expansive rugby and stretched Diss from the kick off . This early pressure led to an Old Alleynian penalty in front of the posts . Diss responded by driving the ball deep into the opposition half and after fifteen minutes , following a determined run from Captain Fraser Hall , Warren Wilby broke through the midfield and sent Giles West over for the home side’s first try . Diss now led 5-3 but suffered immediately when the Alleynian Full back secured his second penalty of the afternoon. Diss then failed to deal with an awkward bouncing ball and Old Alleynians scored a converted try wide on the right. The game continued to swing from one end to the other and following a dominant driving scrummage Jamie Burroughs crashed over. Jack Peacock stepped up to convert and Diss were back in the game. As half time approached Old Alleynians scored a second try to lead 18-12 . The wind had proved a decisive factor and Diss now needed to harness this advantage in the second half.

The opening exchanges of the second half highlighted how close the ability levels of the two teams were and Old Alleynians took advantage of loose Diss passing to set up a third penalty that enabled them to lead 21—12 with twenty five minutes left. A Diss yellow card also added to the home teams problems . However , Diss were now beginning to assert considerable pressure in all areas of contact and the game certainly began to swing with the introduction of Tim Groom to an already dominant pack of forwards. Backs and forwards now combined to open up the Old Alleynian defence . Jack Peacock added a further penalty to reduce the score to 15-21. Ryan Carter , who was outstanding all afternoon , fed Warren Wilby, who broke through and released Fraser Hall to score another Jack Peacock converted try. Almost immediately following superb handling skills from Paul Cayley, the forwards and three- quarters combined again to set up a further try for the acrobatic Matt Richards. Diss were now in total command and following excellent driving play and accurate passing, Matt Trede was released in the Old Alleynian twenty two and completely wrong- footed the defensive cover to score a final converted try. This was without doubt the most accomplished and precise team performance of the season so far.