Diss returned to winning ways to complete a most satisfactory first half of the season. It has to be said however, that Diss were certainly in the festive spirit in allowing Saffron Walden the opportunity to stay in the game right until its conclusion. The result really should have been settled early in the second half rather than Diss having to defend desperately until the final whistle.

Overall Diss were certainly the better side, dominating possession, territory and the breakdown immediately from the opening exchanges. Diss were intent on attacking from all areas and suffered as a consequence when Saffron Walden intercepted an ambitious pass to open the scoring. On 13 minutes Jack Peacock replied with a well taken penalty following driving play from the entire Diss pack. Diss were now totally dominating all facets of the game and exerting extreme pressure at the scrummage . On 30 minutes, Dougie Moir broke from the back of a forward moving scrum to score. Peacock hit the post with the conversion but Diss now had the lead 8-5. Saffron Walden are a gutsy outfit and on 38 minutes scored their own converted try, following a deft crash ball, that allowed their centre to score close to the posts. The successful conversion meant that Saffron Walden now led 12-8 at half time.

The heavy nature of a very wet pitch and a trailing wind now played in the visitors favour. Diss began the second half on the front foot and following an outstanding individual break ,John Laurie scored a superb try that was yet again converted by Jack Peacock. Now was the time to take a clear advantage and for Diss to show their clear superiority. Scrum half, Jo Seaman was introduced from the bench and had an immediate impact. On 60 minutes Seaman broke clear and off- loaded to a rampaging Jack Peacock to score under the posts. Peacock converted his own try to extend the Diss lead to 22-12. Saffron Walden were now there for the taking but careless decision making and over ambitious handling allowed Saffron Walden the opportunity to score a further unconverted try to close the gap to 22-17. On 68 minutes Seaman broke again and this time off loaded to Prop forward Peter Bray . Bray crashed through two tackles to score . Peacock converted again to give Diss a 29-17 lead with 12 minutes remaining .

In the week’s previous Diss would have comfortably closed this game out but poor handling yet again allowed Saffron Walden the opportunity to score a further converted try to leave the last ten minutes on a knife edge. Diss held firm and relied on the dominance of their forwards to see them home. To the neutral this was an excellent and fully competitive game of rugby , superbly refereed. Not a classic performance from Diss but one that secures all the points and sets up the second half of the season most encouragingly.