Diss 22 : 13 Sudbury - 13th February 2016

A hard earned victory against stylish Sudbury was achieved in the second half due to a dogged attitude from the entire Diss team, coupled with an ability to take advantage of scoring opportunities when presented. Sudbury arrived at Mackenders on the back of a series of hugely impressive victories and immediately put the home side under pressure. Sudbury’s attacking demeanour resulted with Diss infringing at a ruck, allowing Chris Lewis the opportunity to open the scoring on 9 minutes with a well taken penalty. The opening quarter highlighted the desire of Sudbury to move the ball at every opportunity, compared to the potential forward domination of the Diss eight. On 28 minutes a speculative pass in the Sudbury midfield was superbly grasped by Giles West, who sped over to score from forty metres to open the Diss account. Sudbury responded by pressurising the home side in their own twenty two. Poor ball retention at a defensive ruck allowed Nick Robinson to hack through, eventually touching down for a converted try to retain Sudbury’s lead. Diss had certainly prepared well for this encounter and began to assert pressure in key areas of the field. On 38 minutes, further Diss ill- discipline at the breakdown allowed Sudbury to increase their lead with a second penalty converted by Chris Lewis. With the clock ticking towards half time Diss responded through their three quarters. Sean McClure and Phillip LeLeivre combined within the Sudbury twenty two, off –loading intelligently to each other with LeLeivre eventually touching down in the corner for a crucial try on 40 minutes. Sudbury led 13-10 at half time with the game very evenly balanced.

The side scoring first in the second half would certainly gain a significant advantage. Diss had introduced the powerful Will Scott into the centre to bolster the defensive structures and immediately set out their stall for the half. The dominating forward effort was now taking effect combined with a growing confidence within the backs to not only attack Sudbury but to also nullify any attacking creativity. The Diss front row of Matt Richards, Chris Craven and the hugely experienced Tim Groom now asserted total domination of possession allowing the back row of Fraser Hall, Kimi Latu and Jon Trede the freedom to create havoc at the breakdown. Sudbury now faced a tirade of concerted pressure from within their own twenty two. Graham Richards, young side will not have been exposed like this throughout the season and their inexperience began to show, allowing the whole Diss side the opportunity to strangle and starve the visitors of total possession. The vastly improved Diss midfield defence now also came into their own and on 59 minutes beautifully distributed ball from Jack Peacock put Phillip LeLeivre into space. LeLeivre slipped through the weak Sudbury defence to score his second try and put the home side into a deserved 15-13 lead. Jamie Burroughs influence at the base of the scrum was now prevalent and following a darting break from the scrum half, Diss yet again set up camp five metres from the Sudbury line.

Diss now drove forward from a series of eight scrummages to find themselves denied, what should have been the winning bonus point score of the game. Frustration was beginning to set in until Jamie Burroughs twisted and drove his way over the line to send the Mackender’s faithful into ecstasy. Phillip LeLeivre stepped up to convert. A hard fought and truly epic encounter had been won by the home side’s grit, determination and total desire to remain at the sharp end of promotion possibilities.