Diss RFC 19 Sudbury RFC 20

Diss 19 – 20 Sudbury

Diss already know their destiny sitting firmly at the base of the table, Sudbury, however, had all to play for as they needed a win to go towards securing their place London 1 North next season.
In the spring sunshine Diss kicked off playing the now familiar mix of youth and experience to take the game into Sudbury’s half gaining the first scrum which was defended resulting in a lineout on the 22m line again for Diss. The ball was lost and a scrum for Sudbury allowed them to push forward and get into the Diss half, some good running rugby looked dangerous but Diss were able to prevent a score and were awarded a scrum. A kick to touch led to a poorly executed lineout which was stolen by Sudbury who ran forward passing the ball to the far side of the pitch, a neat pass at speed allowed them in to get the first points going over in the corner, the conversion was missed. Sudbury continued playing a fast running game which saw Diss having to put in some telling tackles. Awarded a penalty, Chris Beaird kicked for touch in the corner for the lineout, well executed this time the Diss pack drove forward and with only a few metres to go Pete Bray ran around on the right side and touched down to bring Diss level, the conversion hit the upright bouncing off to the wrong side.
Sudbury went on the attack from the restart at a pace and were looking clear on the far side to have an ambitious overhead pass lost and knocked on by both sides which gave the opposition a scrum ten metres out, this time they were able to run out and round the pack to score without converting.
The game was fierce at the breakdown and some collar holding and nose to nose discussion on a couple of occasions meant the referee had a polite word with both captains. Diss had a penalty on the twenty two metre line and opted to go for the line. Diss lost the lineout again but were able to salvage the ball only to be penalised in the ruck. Following the scrum Sudbury managed to get into the Diss half and a high tackle gave Sudbury a penalty which they kicked to take the score to 5-13 on half time.
The restart began and a Diss were awarded a scrum, penalty and scrum in quick succession with no result, John Laurie seemed unstoppable at times and gaining good ground but was thwarted and Sudbury stole it and were able to run fifty metres only to knock on, Diss kicking for the lineout. unfortunately it was lost and Sudbury kicked for the same allowing them to pull a similar move to the one in the first half moving the ball to the far side of the field to score with a conversion.
Diss then began a good spell of driving forward and recycling the ball with Sudbury penalised more than a few times for offside. Chris Beaird took a heavy hit and a rib injury which meant he had to be replaced. After gaining another penalty George Jones looked to be kicking for the line but a tap and go instead allowed Diss a run and, getting the ball back, Jones ran through to score a well worked try which was converted. This spell of play brought the home fans to life cheering at every Diss move. Again, Diss got a lineout near the twenty two metre line but it was lost to Dave Smith’s frustration, however Diss regained the ball to continue their dominant spell. An unintentional spear tackle meant Sudbury lost a man to the sin bin. Diss attacked again from the lineout that followed but were penalised giving Sudbury the scrum from which Diss managed to get their tackles in and gain possession getting the ball out to the side for Tiger Shaw to score. This put Diss one point behind and they could smell a result. Continuing to recycle and move forward, Diss won a penalty, Sudbury being caught offside and Barnaby Chenery stepped up, his kick missing the target. After a Diss scrum another penalty resulted unfortunately with same outcome. Sudbury then fought back and gained a lineout five metres from the Diss line which was defended but Sudbury were looking dangerous again. Diss held out for the last few minutes and the whistle signalled the end of a contest of which the home team should be proud, it certainly surprised Sudbury who didn’t expect such a demanding game.
Diss will rue some errors and may look on the game as a win that was lost, but should take comfort from the way in which they fought dominating the second half as they did.

Mike Bardwell
30th March 2019