Diss 21 : 14 Bishop's Stortford

To misquote the Dinah Washington song ‘what a difference a week makes', with our last minute try both winning the game and sending the large crowd wild. The reaction at the final whistle of the players, and watching the coach Gavin Brock dancing onto the pitch, showed how important this win was for the morale of the team after last weeks injury filled performance.

Bishops Stortford started the match by pinning Diss in their own half for much of the first 20 minutes, but despite numerous overlaps and scoring opportunities they only had 1 penalty and 1 unconverted try on the scoreboard. Warren Wilby converted a penalty with the 1st attacking opportunity that Diss had, and the balance of the match then started to change.

The pack started to get the upper hand, and from a line out catch by Elliot Page, the pack drove the ball over the line with Tim Groom appearing at the bottom of the mass of players with the ball, but Warren Wilby was unable to convert.

Half time 8-8

The 2nd half began with the home side beginning to assert more and more pressure, leading to a successful penalty from Warren Wilby. The back line then began to show their skills with good moves and handling especially from Andy Thorpe, Aaron Bliss and Alex Kelsall, backed up by the pack exerting more and more pressure, with Josh Williams winning 2 scrums against the head. Despite the pressure Stortford were able to keep the score board turning with 2 successful penalties before Warren Wilby evened the score with a penalty of his own.

The last 5 minutes Diss were camped on the Stortford line, with a series of scrums and drives by the pack, but with the last play of the game the ball came to Pete Chartier who chipped the ball over the stretched defence for Andy Thorpe to dive onto the ball to score, which was converted by Warren Wilby.

The release of tension from the crowd with that try was enormous and loud and led to a very convivial atmosphere in the clubhouse later.

This was a whole team performance, and all players added to a much improved performance in the second half and can take pride in their afternoons work. A repeat performance next week away at Portsmouth will see us pulling away from the bottom.

We wish our best and a speedy recovery to Richard Horne and Will Farrer who are out for the long term after last weeks game, and welcome Lee Bolger as Assistant Coach to Gavin Brock. Lee is the Finnish National Coach and is here as part of his coaching qualifications.