Saffron Walden 26 : 0 Diss - 16th January 2016

Diss were brought back to earth by a Saffron Walden side that showed a total willingness to play an expansive game, whilst competing whole heartedly at the breakdown and lineout. Diss dominated the scrummage but failed to match the home side’s passion, being forced into a series of careless and inappropriate handling errors.

Early Diss pressure allowed Sean McClure the opportunity to open the scoring from a kickable penalty attempt. The ensuing kick hit the upright enabling Saffron Walden the opportunity to attack up field and gain a foot hold in proceedings. On 13 minutes a promising Diss attack was thwarted when McClure was turned over and following a probing kick from Tom Hughes Saffron Walden scored their first try wide on the right. With the conversion missed, Diss enjoyed a period of control which culminated in a Jack Peacock drop goal attempt just passing wide of the posts. The key question posed at point of the game was always going to be how much ball the Saffron Walden three quarters would receive from which to attack.

On two separate occasions Diss secured attacking positions close to the home side’s 5 metre line. A line out drive was easily repelled by superb defensive technique and an advancing scrummage close to the line was halted when Diss tried to off-load the ball rather than retain possession and then attack again. A common feature that would haunt Diss throughout the whole match. In between these opportunities, Saffron Walden attacked with genuine pace and only poor handling skills left them without further points on the board. Whilst Diss found themselves in touch at half time , the writing was on the wall with respect to the dominance being exerted by a more focussed and accurate Saffron Walden team.

A positive response at the beginning of the second half certainly lifted the Diss side with Kimi Latu, Philip LeLievre and Jamie Burroughs all breaking through at times to only be thwarted by a stoic Saffron Walden defence led by the outstanding back row forward Nick Baker. Unfortunately no cohesive pattern developed and Diss were always reduced to attack from deep in their own half. Saffron Walden had certainly prepared well for this game with their front five being more competitive and their defensive organisation showing a plan that was gradually eroding any Diss threat. Experienced Walden fly half, Tom Hughes now took complete control of the game, lying deep and repeatedly turning the Diss side with superb touch finding kicks. As the final quarter approached Saffron Walden began to win a more consistent supply of ball and coupled with an improved accuracy scored through their three quarters to increase their lead to 12-0. The home side now really began to express themselves scoring two more tries in the final five minutes to regain top spot with a bonus point win. Diss had experienced a bad day at the office and will have to respond immediately next week.