Diss 64 : 29 Old Cooperians - 11th October '14

Diss returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion against Old Cooperians. Dominating the forward exchanges from start to finish, Diss were able to dominate all phases of the game and for the first time this season construct an attacking platform that led to ten tries being scored and a precision in finishing off scoring chances that had sadly been missing earlier in the season.

Diss scored first following driving play from the forwards wide out on the right. Old Cooperians then replied with a well taken try through their backs, levelling the scores at 7-7 with thirteen minutes played. Diss then took total control upfront with Captain Fraser Hall scoring two tries from the base of the scrum. Tim Groom, Chris Craven and Pete Bray were in total control from the front row and the engine room of Paul Cayley and John Bergin were dominating at line out and in the forward exchanges. Olly Vincent was also dominating the line out and ran well in open play for the whole match. Old Cooperians pulled back three points due to Diss ill- discipline, to reduce the half time score to 19-10 to the home side.

Roger Coombs and David Smith’s half time talk certainly had the desired effect with Diss scoring Five unanswered tries over the next twelve minutes. It has been a long time since the Diss supporters have seen such enterprising and high quality football played at Mackenders. Giles West scored two tries during this period and further tries were added by Warren Wilby, Jack Peacock and Tom Holt. Jack Peacock, who had an excellent all-round game, converted three of the tries scored.

With over twenty minutes to play Diss were now 52-10 ahead. Following this purple patch, Old Cooperians came back into the game and Diss reverted to a rather ill–disciplined approach. The game did however finish with Club Captain Giles West completing his hat-rick. Australian Angus McGrath had a wonderful game from Full back, making a number of telling tackles as well as running with determination and guile.

Diss have still not put together a full forty minutes of continuity but this match was a step in the right direction and excellent preparation for the forthcoming tough fixtures over the next month.