Rochford 18 : 13 Diss - 21st November 2015

Diss succumbed to their first League defeat of the season in a match that quite frankly they should have had sewn up in the first twenty minutes. Challenging Rochford at home has never proved an easy prospect for Diss and with the elements yet again this week exerting an influence, Diss had to be on the front foot from the start.

Diss produced twenty minutes of total rugby and pressurised the Rochford side into defending deep into their own half throughout the first quarter. Time after time Diss threatened the Rochford line to be thwarted on numerous occasions. On twenty one minutes a flowing move that combined the entire back three of McClure, West and LeLievre eventually allowed Fraser Hall the opportunity to feed Kieran Pask in midfield, who drove over to open the Diss account. Diss thought that they had scored a further try following an outstanding move involving Sean McClure and Phillip LeLievre. Unfortunately the Referee correctly judged the final pass to be slightly forward. Diss completely took the foot of the throttle for the remainder of half and allowed Rochford a period of total domination. Following driving play from Player Coach, Michael Guest, Rochford scored an outstanding try through their three quarters to take a 7 – 5 lead into half time. The momentum of the game had now completely swung towards Rochford who would now be challenging in the second half with the elements behind them and a sloping left hand corner that ultimately would prove decisive.

Diss began the second half under unnecessary pressure due to a high error count and after forty eight minutes conceded a needless penalty at the breakdown. Rochford now led 10-5 and continued to pressure the Diss twenty two metre line. A rear guard was led by George Gooderham, Kami Latu and Jamie Burroughs, but all too often possession was lost at the vital moment. Playing into a strong wind, Diss attempted to break out through their back three on and were unlucky not to challenge the Rochford line further. On sixty seven minutes Rochford drove through their forwards and secured their second try to extend their lead to a commanding 15-5 with twelve minutes remaining. Diss now lifted the ante and attacked from a scrummage on half way. George Gooderham fed Sean McClure who unleashed Phillip LeLeivre to score out wide. With the conversion missed Diss were now back in the game and were awarded a penalty outside the Rochford twenty two with only a few minutes remaining. A decision to kick the penalty brought Diss to within two points but had the winning opportunity gone begging? Rochford cleverly attacked the left hand corner and were awarded a final penalty to secure a deserved victory. In many ways the Rochford side showed a more determined fighting spirit and depth of passion compared to the Norfolk side.