Diss RFC 31 Wanstead RFC 3

Diss opened their League season with an encouraging and ultimately comprehensive victory against a brave and determined Wanstead side. Following a very enjoyable Pre –season, Diss introduced a number of new players who all had an immediate impact on proceedings.
Dominating possession from kick off, allowed Diss to set the pattern of play and dictate territory. Shaun Blyth and Chris Beaird looked dangerous from the outset, with Blythe scything his way through the Wanstead defence to be brought back with a foot in touch. Wanstead rallied briefly but stout Diss defence repelled any major threat allowing the home to attack with a freedom that had the home support enjoying an open brand of rugby fitting for a beautiful sunny afternoon. Following a bludgeoning run from Chris Beaird an attacking line out set up Matt Richards. Richards drove over to give Diss a deserved lead after 20 minutes. Diss now played with a high level of continuity with Rob Silcocks proving a handful whilst in possession and George Jones orchestrating affairs from the fly half berth.
Wanstead replied with a penalty after a brief period of possession. In defence Diss were ruthless with Cutu Serruys absolutely outstanding. When in possession and on the front foot Diss attacked with pace and accuracy, although at times discipline at the breakdown did let the home side down. With minutes remaining a further attacking line out allowed Nick Garnham to break free and score down the blindside. Chris Beaird stepped up to send the conversion sailing through the posts from wide on the left hand side. A 12 -3 lead at half time was no more than Diss deserved for a fine first half performance.
Diss opened the second half in a positive manner with Shaun Blythe yet again going very close. Diss now totally dominated territory with the forwards off-loading accurately eventually allowing the backs to attack with the opposition on the back foot. Callum Roberts broke through from the wing feeding ‘Man of the Match’, Cutu Serruys, who broke through a number of Wanstead tackles to send Shaun Blythe over. Beaird converted giving the home side total dominance in the game. Whilst in Possession Wanstead found it extremely difficult to make any inroads into Diss territory due to an outstanding defensive effort led by James Winterbottom, Will Waddingham and Jake Girdler. Following inter play between Will Craggs and captain John Bergin, Diss attacked close to the Wanstead line. Rob Silcocks deservedly scoring the bonus point try that sent the Diss supporters into rapture after a level of continuity not seen at Mackenders for some time. New recruit Alex Lefebvre broke clear late on in the game, capping a fine debut in both attack and defence. Shaun Blythe scored his second try following outstanding play from Tiger Shaw that allowed the backline to handle the ball at pace in order to put Blythe through a gaping hole in the Wanstead defence. A most encouraging performance, with so many tough fixtures to play in the weeks ahead.