Diss 1st XV 38 v 28 Ruislip 1st XV

"I think you enjoy the game more if you don't know the rules. Anyway, you're on the same wavelength as the referees." - Jonathan Davies, A Question of Sport BBC TV.

This quote from Jonathan Davies in many ways sums up the feeling of home and away supporters, who thought they were aware of the rules of this glorious game.

The game was a mixture of highs and lows for both teams, and not necessarily created by the players. In fabulous conditions it was Ruislip who took an early lead from a penalty kick, after Diss, realising it was not going to be an easy fixture, were penalised for not staying on their feet.

Within minutes Ruislip scored a converted try after kicking through a defensive line that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Maginot. This naivety, lack of guile, call it what you will, soon faded with Diss returning to the type of form that has allowed them to travel away and beat sides like Ruislip.

After some good interplay between Alistair Abercrombie, Junior Horne, Tim Groom and Peter Bray, Peter it was who powered his way over with support from the ever youthful Tim Groom to score the first try for Diss, converted by Beaird.

This was a purple patch for Diss, only spoilt by Will Farrer trying to run the ball from his own twenty two and giving away a penalty. Putting this to one side, Diss showed why they are fourth in the league with a gritty performance gaining the ascendency in all phases of the game.

This soon led to Diss scoring, great interplay between backs and forwards allowed Deaglan Hall to power through and score Beaird converting, and in what seemed to be a long first half Hall once again showing imperious form powered over for his second try to complete a half of conflicting success.

The Diss huddle at half time showed that Phil Sharpe meant business, compact and tight. This was what they needed to be in the second half if they were to stop a confident looking set of Ruislip backs, and that was exactly what they were from the whistle.

Gaining turnover ball a number of times within the first few minutes Diss showed that this game was far from finished, Jack Peacock in particular, playing out of position at centre, showed the type of break that is required to break defences down, played it inside to the supporting Tim Groom, who showing a deftness that belies his age popped the pass over a creeping Ruislip defence to a rushing Todd Wishart who powered over to score a try, Beaird converting.

This period of play once again showed how Diss can play with a variety of talent available to them, only let down when strange decisions go against them, and so it was with a penalty awarded against the run of play, Ruislip converting. But just when the pressure was being exerted on Diss, up popped Will Farrer with an interception on the half way line, running with the wind behind him, shadows creeping up on him, he was able to just score under the posts, Beaird converting.

The pressure from the home side did not abate from the kick off, running at Diss at every opportunity, but with some fine defensive work from the pack and with the backs tackling everything that Ruislip could throw at them, it is to their credit that Diss scored next in what was the try of the match. Andrew Horne who had been a thorn in the Ruislip side all match, broke through after picking the ball up in his own twenty two, with his pace and power taking him forward he passed it inside to Tom Holt in support. Tom again showing experience passed inside to Matt Richards and with a loop of mathematical precision took the ball from Matt.

Gaining another twenty yards he was able to pass it outside to Todd Wishart who once again showing tenacity and a lovely turn of pace was able to score. With yellow cards in the last four minutes to Tom Holt and Andrew Horne, Diss had to hold out against a tenacious Ruislip side who were able to add two tries in the remaining four minutes, the final try would not have looked out of place on a basketball court. Apart from this scare Diss can be pleased with a win against a useful Ruislip side, and a position in the league which is a fair reflection of the hard work put in by the playing and coaching side alike.

Arthur Gittins