Diss 27 : 20 South Woodham Ferrers - 29th October 2016

A wholehearted and ultimately competent performance at Mackenders against a well drilled South Woodham Ferrers side keeps Diss on top of the table after seven League fixtures. Diss opened proceedings on the front foot and after two minutes a subtle off-load from Matt Richards allowed the rampaging Steve Hipwell to drive through numerous tackles to give the home side first blood. Sean McClure stepped up to convert. Led by a cohesive forward strategy, Diss attacked at every opportunity laying down firm roots deep within the Woodham twenty two. Kimi Latu, Steve Hipwell and Ali Abercrombie drove consistently into the heart of the opposition only to be thwarted due to a rugged and well- disciplined defensive effort from the visitors.
Diss mixed the game strategy up in the second quarter in an attempt to turn all their pressure into points but a lack of composure,precision and good honest ball retention allowed Woodham the opportunity to lift the siege. The only reward for the home side being a penalty converted by Sean McClure to give the home side a ten point lead. On 31 minutes Woodham entered the Diss half for the first time and created continuity of their own eventually scoring an unconverted try through number eight Ross Noakes. Diss immediately responded to this reverse and stepped up the tempo in order to nullify Woodham’s resurgence in the game. Alex Leeder had replaced the injured Jamie Burroughs at Scrum half and following outstanding work from Ali Abercrombie at a ruck on half way, Leeder shot a deft box kick down the touchline to then retrieve the ball from the Woodham fullback and sprint over for an superb individual try. McClure converted again, to send the home side into half time 17-5 to the good.

Diss returned after the break with attacking purpose, producing the champagne moment of the game. From deep within their own half a beautiful pass from Philip LeLievre sent the mercurial Giles West gliding through towards the opposition twenty two. West found McClure who intelligently grubbed a ball through for Freddie Precious. Unselfishly Precious fed Alex Leeder, who finished off one of the tries of the season so far. One element of concern within the Diss coaching hierarchy has been the inability of the League leaders to close the opposition out when in command. This week proved no exception.

South Woodham responded immediately and following the award of a well deserved yellow card to Matt Richards scored two well-crafted and abrasive tries of their own Diss had yet again taken their eye of the ball and allowed the opposition back into the game. A lack of concentration and line speed when defending had allowed the visitors some hope.

With the final quarter approaching the senior and more experienced members of the team stepped up. Kimi Latu, who had a wonderful driving game at close quarters came to the fore. Supported by Steve Hipwell, Tim Groom, Matt Richards and Ed Hudson pressure was inserted into the Woodham twenty two. A series of intelligent and precise off-loads sent Matt Richards over the line to increase the Diss lead. The game now opened up across the whole field with Woodham replying yet again with a bonus point try of their own. The old heads, led by Captain Fraser Hall had seen enough and rightly tucked the ball up their shirts to drive the opposition deep in their own half until the final whistle. A sound win nonetheless that keeps the League leaders on the front foot.