Diss XV vs Saffron Walden - Saturday 19th February 2022

In deteriorating conditions Diss produced yet another satisfying home win that had the very large home support purring with delight. A team containing four Colts making their full debuts certainly stepped up to the mark with a determined team performance. Saffron Walden dominated the opening exchanges with a series of forward drives that eventually told with James Bovaird scoring a well deserved try.
Saffron Walden had started the game with a high level of physicality that had the Diss forwards initially rattled. As the game settled into a more even pattern Diss began to establish territory with the ever-present Nick Garnham going very close to an opening score. As the weather conditions and indeed the playing surface became treacherous Diss decided to play a more expansive game.
A combination of sound handling from Tiger Shaw and Jake Girdler sent Fraser Baron through the Walden midfield to open the Diss account. A superb conversion from Will Laverne gave the home side a clear two-point advantage. As the game progressed into the second quarter both sides traded attacking opportunities with the weather conditions proving a deciding factor in the final completion of a series of scoring chances. Diss now had parity in the tight scrummage with Matt Richards, Peter Bray and Angus Germany beginning to not only secure steady ball but to also drive deep into the Walden defensive line. This strategy would prove vital later in the game. As the half drew to its conclusion a stunning passing move that saw Matt Richards feed Fraser Baron out wide. Baron eventually sent Chris Kent racing over for the home sides second try that Will Laverne yet again successfully converted. Giving Diss a 14 – 5 lead at the interval.
Saffron Walden were able to reduce the deficit with a well-constructed try of their own following a series of close quarter rucks that allowed them to eventually send Adam Clark over the line. Jake Girdler and John Bergin began to dominate the gain line thus establishing a level of continuity not seen for a while. An unfortunate loose pass gave Walden an interception try that was easily converted by Tommy Albright. Diss now trailed by three points with the game entering the final quarter. The triumvirate of Richards, Bray and Germany now got to work in the loose with Bray crashing over to give the home side a further advantage on the score board. Captain and Man of the Match, John Bergin now led a series of drives towards the Walden line that eventually led to a Will Laverne penalty thus securing a most pleasing victory for a Diss side that exhibited a wonderful and determined attitude all afternoon. William Wright, Freddie Potter, Alex Hutchinson and Miles Clark all acquitted themselves extremely well and will have gained a huge amount from the experience. Alex Leader at Scrum half controlled the ball at the breakdown very successfully and Jack Owen and Toby Eve contributed in a most constructive manner. Encouraging to say the least.