Diss RFC 12 Chingford RFC 41

A determined and forthright performance against the League leaders certainly highlighted the fact that Diss are more than comfortable in London one and should enjoy further success as the season develops. Yet again this week, Diss allowed the opposition to score within the opening minutes due to poor defence from the three quarters. Chingford possess a potent back division and within the first fifteen minutes had scored three unanswered tries, all scored by moving the ball at pace and with width. Diss responded to the cause on twenty minutes by eventually getting their hands on the ball and driving close to the breakdown through their forwards. The Diss forwards soon began to dominate as the stronger unit and took the initiative driving Chingford back regularly to re-establish a foothold in the game. As the game entered its second quarter the Diss eight drove over the Chingford line. Stephen Hipwell scored the vital try and Chris Beaird stepped up to convert to bring the visitors back into the game. The Diss eight then dominated possession and put the League leaders under intense. Diss should have scored a further try as the half concluded but a lack of precision and patience meant that they entered half time 17-7 down.
The second half opened with Chingford on the offensive with Diss yet again falling off crucial tackles . A missed kick to touch gave Chingford the opportunity to score another try through the heart of a ruck to establish a dominant lead yet again. A further Chingford try on fifty six minutes soon put the game out of reach for the Norfolk side, although this reverse stirred the Diss forwards back into action. A superb driving maul from a lineout sent Stephen Hipwell over the line for the second time and gave the score some sort of respectability. Unfortunately the wheels did fall off in the last ten minutes with Mat Richards being shown a red card and two further Chingford tries being scored as the Diss side tired. Diss had certainly given the league leaders a most challenging encounter having dominated up front. Positives will have been taken from this game with a score line that did not truly reflect the nature of the game.