Sudbury 17 : 20 Diss - 7th November 2015

Diss and Sudbury fought out an epic encounter to settle the early season bragging rights. Diss came away with the spoils on this occasion, although Sudbury will almost certainly count themselves unlucky not to have closed the game out in the final quarter. In wet and blustery conditions Diss settled comfortably into the proceedings and following excellent driving play from the forwards John Bergin forced his way over from a driving maul. It quickly became apparent that the game itself was going to be a battle between the heavier and more experienced Diss forwards and the very young but talented Sudbury three quarters. On twenty three minutes the Sudbury back line moved early ball wide and scored a well taken try to level the scores. With Paul Cayley Yellow carded, Diss now produced their best passage of the game and on thirty three Minutes following driving play led by Matt Richards and Michael Fuller the ensuing scrummage allowed Captain Fraser Hall the opportunity to score . Phillip LeLievre stepped up to secure the conversion and Diss led 12-5 as half time approached. On thirty eight minutes a sweeping move down the left allowed Jamie Burroughs the opportunity to feed Fraser Hall who then put Sean McClure into space. McClure then sent Giles West over in the corner. Phillip LeLievre converted and Diss entered half time leading 17-5.

The order of the day should have much the same for the second half but unfortunately a combination of a lack of discipline and the choice of poor options allowed Sudbury back into the game. Chris Craven and Charlie Crotty were both yellow carded and Diss found themselves on the back foot. Resolute defence was needed due to the fact that the Sudbury backs were now extending the heavier Diss pack from side to side at will. On fifty two and sixty two minutes Sudbury scored two very well taken tries and with the final quarter still to play the game was totally in the balance. Diss responded with a series of driving forays into the Sudbury half and eventually came away with a well taken penalty from Phillip LeLeivre to extend the score to 20-17. Further ill-discipline saw Jamie Burroughs and a Sudbury player in the bin. Diss ended the game attacking the Sudbury line through their dominant scrummage. A hard fought and ultimately satisfactory victory for the Norfolk Club.