Diss 63 : 10 Romford & Gidea Park - 14th January 2017

Diss remain top of London Two North East following an emphatic victory against Romford and Gidea Park. Having taken an early lead following an infringement at a ruck, Diss soon found that Romford were initially not going to be a push over. So much so, that within the first quarter Romford created and scored two very well taken tries from within their own half. Diss in the meantime allowed a sense of over confidence to develop, culminating in at least three scoring opportunities going astray.

On 24 minutes Stephen Hipwell made a break through the heart of the Romford rear-guard allowing Freddy Precious to score the home-sides first try. As the first half began to close, Diss began to create a higher level of continuity and cohesion, culminating in a well executed try for Chris Beaird, following a silky break through the midfield from Jamie Burroughs. A five point lead at half time just about reflected the pattern and quality of the half, although Diss would need to show more passion and a more structured plan following the break.

Diss certainly reacted in a positive fashion from the outset in the second half. Scrum half Alex Leader began to kick sensibly from the breakdown and the big Diss forward runners were now making an impact and punching holes into a struggling Romford defence. Having retrieved the ball in his own half, Alex Leader found, Sean McClure in open play. McClure glided into the opposition twenty two, feeding Giles West who scored a well- constructed try.

Within a minute, following a superb steal from John Laurie, Alex Leader chipped again thus allowing Giles West to score his second try of the afternoon. Romford now fell of the game in spectacular fashion. Leader scored a try for himself following another chip over the top. Relentless and sustained pressure delivered at pace was now tearing the visitors apart. Giles West completed his hatrick having supported Sean McClure from deep within his own half.

The Diss forwards now decided that they had a part to play with Matt Richards scoring following a Stephen Hipwell break through a tired and weak defence. As the game drew to its conclusion three more tries were scored by the ever impressive Chris Beaird, a wonderful dummy and break away from Alex Leader and finally a standard charge from the Diss number eight, Stephen Hipwell. The harsher Diss critic would be right in their assessment that the home side actually left at least another twenty points on the park.