Diss 21 - 22 Havant

National League 3 London & South East Division

When the story of this season for Diss is written, it will be a tale of close losses that in many cases we could have won, and yesterday was another example where we had the chances to win, but ultimately just coming up short.

Injuries meant that changes had to be made to the starting line up, with Mike Fuller returning to the pack, and in the back line Pete Chartier replaced Rhuan Jones, Aaron Bliss replaced Alex Kelsall and Semi Roccotovitovi made his debut on the wing.

The Referee had brought forward the kick off by 15 minutes, catching supporters, luncheon guests and the local press rushing to catch up. It also seemed to catch Havant out as they missed the kick off and immediately gave away a penalty which was kicked successfully by Chris Beaird. Straight afterwards Carl Smith broke through the Havant backline, but a last ditch tackle saw him knock on just as he crossed the line, and then 3 minutes later Chris Beaird missed a penalty. Again it was a question of not being clinical and taking the points when we had the chance, which we were to rue at the final whistle.

Havant then started to come into the game, and after a catch and drive at the line out, a tactic that they used to good effect all afternoon, they released their wing who scored an unconverted try. Seb Goodge had to replace Aaron Bliss who got a blow on the head, meaning another re-jig of the back line.

Both sides then swapped successful penalties before a trademark chip over the top of their back line, with Carl Smith passing the ball out to Andy Thorpe who dived in at the corner, but the conversion was unsuccessful.

Just before half time Semi Roccotovitovi, was yellow carded, but with one man down Diss were playing the better rugby, with Andy Thorpe just knocking on with the line open from a kick over the top, but moments later was able to score a typical diving try in his favourite corner near the scoreboard. The conversion was unsuccessful, but just as we were expecting the halftime whistle, the Havant centre broke through for a try that was converted.

Half Time 16-15

The first 20 minutes of the second half were a story of dogged defence by both sides, with hard work by both packs and probes from both back lines, but eventually the catch and drive tactics by the visitors pack led to their scrum half making a 5 metre snipe to score near the posts, which was converted.

Diss won the ball at the scrum and quick passes down the line led to Andy Thorpe freeing Semi Roccotovitovi for his first chance to run in the match and he danced round the defence to score close to the posts, but unfortunately the conversion was missed.

In the last minutes with Diss pushing for the points, Chris Howard was harshly yellow carded, which allowed the visitors to hold out for the win

Full time 21-22.

The talk in the bar afterwards was of the tremendous effort of all the players, but yet again we were not able to deliver the killer blow that would win these close matches for us.