Diss 30 : 15 Old Cooperians - 8th October 2016

Following last week’s poor game at Romford, Diss returned to Mackenders to register their most accomplished performance of the season so far, against League leaders Old Cooperians. The opening salvos highlighted two very committed and motivated sides both willing to play an expansive and entertaining game.

Early exchanges were evenly matched, with Diss taking an early lead with a well struck Sean McClure penalty. Throughout the first quarter both sides sparred with each other without any undue success. On 20 minutes, a speculative chip kick from McClure confused the Cooperians defence, allowing the electric, Philip LeLievre the opportunity to claim possession and then jink his way through to score a superb individual try. McClure converted allowing Diss to establish a firm foot hold in the game.

Cooperians responded wonderfully to this reverse and immediately attacked, stretching the Diss defence to the maximum. Diss Captain, Giles West, left the field at this point following a very heavy tackle, to be replaced by John Laurie. This was to prove a watershed for the home side. Laurie’s introduction had an immediate impact and ultimately as the match developed acted as a catalyst for the remainder of the side. On 34 minutes, a stray Diss kick was hacked through by Cooperians, allowing their in-form winger Kolade Awobowale, the opportunity to score an opportunist try. As half time approached a definite pattern was developing within the game. Cooperians wanted at all times to release their back division, whilst Diss were gaining the upper hand in the forward exchanges and consistently releasing their ball carriers deep into the opposition midfield. The half time score being 10-5. An intriguing second half awaited.

Cooperians responded first following the break, with Awobowale scoring for the second time following superb approach work, the try being converted by Tom Morgan. The attitude and wholehearted desire of the home side now came to the fore. The entire Diss side left everything on the field this week. A collective approach was required at this stage. The more experienced heads in the team responded superbly. Steve Hipwelll, John Laurie, Tim Groom, Michael Fuller and Jamie Burroughs all accelerated the Diss driving game, allowing Sean McClure the opportunity of slotting a further penalty to retake the lead. The Diss scrum and driving maul now took control, with the whole side playing the best quarter of the season so far. The Cooperians defence fell apart and on fifty minutes, Steve Hipwell drove off the back of a solid scrum to force his way over, thus ensuring that momentum was firmly in the hands of the home side. Diss maintained their off-loading game and on sixty three minutes following approach work from McClure,Laurie and Hipwell, Freddy Precious side stepped over to the delight of the large home crowd. A 25-15 score-line reflected the dominance of the home side and the pressure they were now exerting on the League leaders. A speculative kick into the Cooperians twenty two was miss fielded and the ever alert Freddy Precious released a quick line out, allowing Philip LeLievre the opportunity to score the final Diss try.
Thus ended a most accomplished and wholehearted performance that not only showed the teams new found desire but also the influence and strategy adopted by the more experienced and technically aware players in inspiring the younger generation.

Report by Paul Cochrane.