Ipswich 22 : 28 Diss - 17th September 2016

Diss travelled to Ipswich for this eagerly awaited local Derby. Despite three enforced changes in the backs due to injuries, Diss managed to grind out a win.

Two minutes after the kick off, by Diss, the away side were awarded a penalty from a ruck which was not converted. For the next 10 minutes the two sets of forwards probed for weaknesses against each other in mid field until Ipswich were awarded a penalty on 15 minutes for a deliberate knock on by Diss which, again, was not converted. At this point Jamie Burroughs had to be replaced, due to a leg injury, by Jon Trede.

As the 1st half progressed it was clear this was not going to be a fast fluid game with the number of penalties and unforced errors given away by both sides being far too high.

After a long period of broken play mid field between the forwards, Ipswich were first on the score board with a try in the corner coming from a ruck with quick ball generated to release their backs and their number 11 scoring , which was not converted.

The second quarter started with a penalty awarded to Ipswich, from restart on Diss’ 10m, which was converted. Immediately after the restart Will Hudson was yellow carded for collapsing a maul. 30 minutes into the game the score was 11-0

The Diss pack had settled to the task in hand by now and throughout the game were dominant in the scrum. However in broken play, mauls and rucks the Ipswich numbers 4, 6 and 8 were making an impact defensively and the Diss line out was not functioning effectively.

Just before half time Steve Hipwell broke from a scrum midfield to release the Diss backs who were awarded a penalty for an unfair Ipswich tackle in front of the posts. With a scrum being elected Diss put the Ipswich scrum under severe pressure and eventually were awarded a penalty try. This was converted by Sean McClure. At half time – Diss had clawed their way back into the game with the score at 11-7.

The second half started with Ipswich kicking off and the wind in favour of Diss. The kick off went straight out and a scrum was awarded to Diss in the middle. Hipwell picked up from the base and fed to Chris Beaird who, after beating 3 defenders, fed on to J Laurie in support who scored under the posts – McClure converted 11-14 to Diss. However, an unnecessary penalty from Diss at the restart allowed Ipswich back into the game. They converted to level the score 14-14.

From that restart Ipswich tried to go through the midfield Diss defence time and time again but the defence held. Another yellow card was issued, this time to Jon Trede, for a deliberate knock-on. Not long after this Diss were down to 13 men as John Laurie was yellow carded for back chat to the referee. Ipswich seized their opportunity and went through the middle of the Diss pack to score in the corner. On 55 minutes, with the conversion missed, the score was 19-14.

The home side were awarded a further penalty after a prolonged attack around the Diss 22m caught the backs being offside , this was converted putting the score at 22-14.

New legs were needed and with 15 minutes to go, Ed Passmore and Sam Jacobs came on to replace Ed Hudson, who had had a good game in the scrum and open play, and Will Hudson.

After a series of close quarter drives and runs at the Ipswich defence, Diss forwards were looking to create holes and were awarded a penalty on the Ipswich 22m for a high tackle on Pask. A scrum was elected by Diss and after more broken play and short channel drives in the opposition 22m, a further penalty was awarded to Diss after a maul was collapsed by Ipswich. Hipwell took it quickly and scored – McClure converted – the score, on 75 minutes, was 22-21.

The restart by Ipswich went long ,Diss won the resulting scrum which was fed out to the backs as they looked to make territory. At the breakdown Diss were awarded a further penalty in front of the Ipswich posts from a ruck – Ipswich players not rolling away.

Diss chose a scrum which many thought was a brave call with 2 minutes to go, however the scrum was secure , he corner. McClure converted – kicking well all afternoon.

The final score was 22-28.