Bracknell 43 : 14 Diss

By Charles Appleton

On a hot, sunny day and on a rock hard pitch, it was always going to be a tough away fixture for Diss, against a side amongst the promotion favourites, and so it proved with Diss losing 43-14. Bracknell were the better side, but if Diss had taken their opportunities, the score could have been closer.

Coach Gavin Brock was unable to field the same side that won against Tring due to injury, with captain Adam Williamson moving to fly -half.

The match started with the Diss pack rolling off the line out, but they were unable to cross the line despite a series of drives by the pack.

Bracknell then showed the speed of their back line, with a move through the backs that opened up the Diss defence, with a converted try. They scored again soon after when an attempted clearance kick was charged down, with the try again being converted.

Diss started to come more into the match, and when a kick put over the home defence, the ball was just knocked on with the line open. Aaron Bliss had to be replaced soon after by Andy Thorpe, having taken a bad blow to the side of his head.

After Bracknell scored another well worked try through their backs, their defence was opened up by a kick over the top by Matt Gardner, which was picked up in the end by Ollie Marriot who scored under the posts, with Adam Williamson converting.
Half time 19-7

The second half began with a series of attacks by the home side, held up by heroic tackling, especially by Warren Wilby and Matt Gardner, who both had excellent games.

Bracknell then scored a penalty and 2 converted tries to put the game out of reach of the visitors.

Tim Groom and Ollie Marriot were replaced by Josh Williams and John Llewellyn, and soon after a long box kick by Pete Chartier saw Alex Kelsale out sprinting the defence to catch the ball and score near the posts, with Adam Williamson scoring the conversion.

Bracknell then scored again in the dying minutes of the game.
Final score 43-14

Despite the score line, Diss will have learnt a lot from this game, especially at the breakdown, and the necessity to take chances when they come. It is also unlikely that we will play much stronger sides than Bracknell in this league. Next up is the local derby against North Walsham at Mackenders on Saturday 19th.