Diss 43 : 10 Ipswich - 17th December 2016

Diss remain top of the League following yet another emphatic performance against local rivals and good friends Ipswich. No side in this League relishes visiting Mackenders. This became totally apparent from early in the game when the Diss ball carriers began to breach huge holes into a very brave and resiliant Ipswich defence. Early exchanges highlighted that as the game wore on the opposition would certainly find it difficult to remain in touch. A Sean McClure penalty on 10 minutes gave Diss an early lead, soon to be followed by a wonderfully constructed opening try. A forty metre dash through the middle by Matt Richards launched Kami Latu deep into the Ipswich twenty two, the ball then being released through the three quarters to Will Waddingham, who scored out wide. McClure stepped up to convert and the League leaders were in the ascendancy.

Diss now relaxed a little and following an attempt to run the ball out of their own twenty two possession was spilt and Ipswich seized on the loose ball to score a converted try of their own. Diss then infringed at a ruck to see Ipswich draw level with a quarter of the game played. Kami Latu now took the game by the scruff of the neck and in many ways singlehandedly drove directly at the short side defence of the opposition. Wonderfully supported by John Laurie, Stephen Hipwell, Ali Abbercrombie and Matt Richards, Latu supported a superb break from prop forward, Chris Beard eventually scoring the home sides second try.

Ipswich now found themselves hanging on as the half time whistle approached. With minutes remaining in the half, further Diss pressure allowed Latu to score his second try having cleanly retrieved the ball from a phase two ruck. Sean McClure converted sending Diss in at halftime 22-10 to the good.

In many ways the second half reflected a mirror image of the first. Diss driving play close to the breakdown and brave Ipswich defence. One criticism of the Diss performance would be that at times cleanly crafted early ball could and should have been released to the backs rather than route one. That said, the Diss forwards were dominating all phases and following a superb Sean McClure grubber kick, the dominant Kami Latu completed his hattrick having bullocked his way over from ten metres out. McClure converted again to secure a further bonus point. John Laurie and Stephen Hipwell now began to get their hands on the ball, wonderfully supported by the sniping Jamie Burroughs. As the game drifted into the final quarter, Stephen Hipwell came to the party. Turned over and well cycled possession allowed Hipwell to score from fifteen metres.

As the game approached its conclusion Diss now produced the true champagne moment of the afternoon. From deep within their own half Freddie Precious beautifully off- loaded to Sean McClure, who glided down the Clubhouse touchline. Stepping inside the Full back and then being tackled close to the Ipswich line allowed the Diss fly half to present the ball for Warren Wilby, who scored a well- deserved final try. Yet again converted by McClure. So ended an entertaining and comprehensive victory that keeps the Norfolk side at the top of the table.

Report by Paul Cochrane