Portsmouth 22 : 17 Diss

Yesterday's match at Portsmouth proved to be another of those days when any result was possible.

Diss started the better, lost their way, and then nearly pinched a result with the last few plays of the game. In such a tight league as this, we did get a losing bonus point, but we need to learn how to close out matches against teams of a similar standing if we are to stay and progress in this league.

Diss started well yet again with Alex Kelsall winning the ball on our kick off, and immediately putting the home defence under pressure, and it only took 5 minutes before our forwards were able to push their pack back over the line for captain Deaglan Hall to score, with Warren Wilby successful with the conversion.

After this, while Diss kept trying, some of their play seemed to go off the boil, and the home side came back into it and in a scrappy half, punctuated by the whistle. Portsmouth evened up the score at half time.

7 -7.

The 2nd half was highlighted by 2 contentious tries, one for each side, which gave the small crowd something to talk about. For Portsmouth, their player had clearly been turned and held up by Andy Thorpe, and for us the ball had been put into touch, the flag went up, but the referee allowed play to carry on, allowing us to steal the ball and Alex Kelsall to out pace the defence to score. Warren Wilby converted.

Following another home try and an exchange of successful penalties, Diss chose on another penalty, to kick to the corner and rely on the strength of the pack rather than take the 3 points which would have put them in the lead, but the home side held out. They went on to score 3 points of their own from a penalty.

The last few minutes were spent attacking the home line with a series of line out and rucks, but the referee whistled for full time with the ball inches short of the line - to the bewilderment of some of the Diss players but the relief of the home side.

Full time 22 -17

This was a disappointing result for the team and travelling band of 20 supporters, as we know that Diss can play better than this. We will have to rely more and more on securing points at home, and try to win the odd game away.