Diss 30 : 35 Basingstoke

For both sets of supporters it was a nail biting game that could have gone either way, but in the end Diss were yet again just edged out with Basingstoke winning 35 - 30.

Diss could have won this game and perhaps should have, but the commitment of the players could not be faulted. The pack especially, led by captain Deaglan Hall, had one of their outstanding matches, putting the opposition under immense pressure and regularly stealing the ball in the loose and turning the ball over. All 8 can be proud of their days work.

Mike Fuller was unable to play through injury, so Greg Gaughin took his place at 7, with the veteran Keith Rix called up to the squad following the cancellation of the Saracens match by Basingstoke late on Friday.

The match started with a penalty to the visitors, but Diss soon replied when a long kick was taken by Andy Thorpe, who sprinted across the field, passed to Alex Kelsall, whose kick down the line was collected by Warren Wilby who scored in the corner, but he was unable to make the conversion. Alex Kelsall was hurt during the play and soon had to be replaced by Aaron Bliss.

Basingstoke replied with a converted try, before a surging drive by Chris Howard, supported by the rest of the pack, led to a touch down by Deaglan Hall which was converted by Warren Wilby. 5 minutes later Deaglan Hall scored another try after more good close work by the pack, but the conversion was unsuccessful.

Half Time 17 - 13.

The second half started like the first with an immediate penalty, this time to Diss, successfully taken by Warren Wilby. There followed a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, but ferocious tackling from Ali Butler and Greg Gaughin in particular, were not able to keep the visitors out and they scored 2 tries.

Andy Thorpe then intercepted a pass that would have given the visitors another certain try, but eventually the visitors found a way through the defence. Soon after Aaron Bliss was tap tackled as he sprinted for the line following more good stealing work on the ground by the pack, but the ball was cleared by the defence. There was then a sustained period of pressure by Diss, with Tim Groom being adjudged to have crossed with another player, but the pack, marshalled by Rhuan Jones, rallied and put Greg Gaughin over under the posts for his 1st try for Diss. Warren Wilby converted.

The large and now very vocal crowd were willing the team on for what would have been a fitting victory, but Basingstoke held out at a series of line outs and mauls, and secured the win with a penalty at the death.

The players can be justly proud of their efforts, much appreciated by the large home crowd, and the talk in the clubhouse afterwards was of the effort being made by the team. We are starting to show that we will give all sides a hard game and that the line between winning and losing at this level is small.

Next week we are away at Dorking, who were promoted along with us, who are 4 places above us in the table.