Haywards Heath 26 : 19 Diss
Diss travelled down to Sussex with high hopes after their last two performances, but this turned into a bad day for the team and the coaching staff.
Not only did Diss loose, their style of play was disappointing, and they have lost players with serious long tem injuries.
As with every match this season, Diss started on the front foot and could have scored a push over try in the first few minutes, but yet again they were not able to convert pressure into points. The work of the pack was then disrupted when Matt Richards was taken off with a knee injury, to be replaced by Josh Williams.
5 minutes later Alex Kelsall was put under pressure following a long kick, and Haywards heath were able to score a converted try. There then followed 2 more penalties to the home side before Chris Beaird was taken of with an injury to his ankle. He was replaced by Pete Chartier.
Converted penalties were then exchanged before Andy Horne picked up at the base of the rolling maul to score in the corner, but Warren Wilby who had taken over kicking duties was unable to convert. The home side then had their No 10 yellow carded, and both sides kicked successful penalties to leave the score 16-11 at half time.
10 minutes into the second half Alex Kelsall was set free after a good move through the backs, on the left wing to score, but the conversion was unsuccessful. Will Farrer was the taken off and to hospital with a badly broken arm, leaving Greg Gaughin to play an unfamiliar role on the wing. Deaglan Hall and Richard Horne combined for a storming run through the heart of the defence, setting up another successful penalty for Warren Wilby.
In overtime the home side pressed and our defence was again disrupted by injury, with Richard Horne being carried off with an ankle injury, and Haywards Heath were able to score a converted try with the last play of the game. Final score 26-19.
Diss could have won this game if they had played to their usual standards, but with a crop of serious and long term injuries this turned into a nightmare day not only for the team, the coaching staff, and but also for the loyal band of supporters who travelled. Training this week may be interesting!
Team Sponsors
