Report from Paul Cochrane. Diss 13 : 10 Romford - 8th March '14

Match Result : Diss 13 Romford and Gidea Park 10

Over the last few weeks Diss have been threatening to produce a winning performance and against Romford they certainly proved the stronger side and will have gained huge confidence from the overall performance of the whole side. Whilst relegation still remains a distinct possibility, the attitude adopted and the effort executed showed yet again that this Diss side are very determined to end the season on a high and begin building for next year’s campaign. Romford began in a most positive frame of mind and showed why their form had improved since the New Year. Diss did well to survive the opening period and had to defend with real determination . Romford were only rewarded with a penalty after twenty minutes and certainly had the initial ascendancy in the game.

Diss then began to attack through both their forwards and backs and pressured the Romford line at regular intervals. Jamie Burroughs and Fraser Hall in the Diss midfield were already beginning to have an effect on the game and Deaglan Hall was also relishing the open spaces developing in front of his charging runs. Joe Seaman at Scrum half was controlling the breakdown and developing a wonderful link between the backs and forwards. After driving play from the Diss pack, Deaglan Hall was able to force his way over to score a vital try just before half time . For the first time in many weeks, Diss were able to go into half time leading by 5-3.

The second half continued to be very closely fought and ebbed from end to end as both sides tried to get a foothold in the game. The Romford half backs were now under increasing pressure at the breakdown and finding the tackling presence of Jamie Burroughs difficult to deal with. Todd Wishart was also showing his improved confidence with the ball in hand and on a number of occasions Diss should have scored only to let the initiative slip away. Following excellent play from the forwards Diss were awarded a penalty out wide on the right, which Peter Chartier converted with a beautiful kick that sneaked over the posts to the home supporters delight. Diss then produced one of the best passages of play this season , combining attacking play from the three quarters and determined driving from the pack to allow Fraser Hall to score wide out on the right. At 13-3 the game was being totally controlled by the home side and a most satisfying home win was now secured. Diss did however allow Romford the opportunity of one last attack from which they scored a converted try to make the scores closer than they should have been. The players totally deserved this victory and will now relish the opportunity of defeating the top sides in the league clubs before the end of the season.