In a classic local derby Diss came out on top due to a combination of collective cohesion as a team and a growing confidence to adapt to all situations. This match was always going to be a close affair ,with both sides desperate to obtain maximum points for different reasons within the League.

A slow start to the game was not unexpected given the magnitude of the encounter and Holt’s endeavour to ensure that this game did not go the same as the home leg in September. Holt established an immediate foot hold in the game and put Diss firmly on the back foot for a good twenty minutes. Holt opened the scoring with a well taken penalty by Graham Isley. Diss now entered the fray with more purpose and following an excellent attacking scrum Ryan Carter scored to put Diss into a 3-5 lead. The pressure and balance of the game now swung back and forth ,with the large crowd enjoying a tremendous local derby. Ryan Carter extended the Diss lead by scoring his second try from yet another forward driving scrummage. The Diss pack were by now establishing a real foot hold in the game and putting the visitors firmly in control of the game. Holt however responded superbly to this reverse and scored an excellent converted try of their own to level the scores at 10-10 all as half time approached.

The second half started in the same vein as the first , with both sides attacking each other at every opportunity. One clear positive of this encounter was the willingness of both Clubs to throw the ball wide and attack from all areas. As expected in a match of this nature there were a number of telling errors and as the half developed Holt seemed to be coping with more confidence. Following a number of Diss mistakes Holt scored a further converted try to extend their lead to 17-10 with the game approaching the final quarter.

Now the character and mettle of the Diss team was put to the test in every way. Last season Diss would have capitulated at this stage.This year’s cohort are a very different breed in both attitude and technique. Diss responded by attacking through their back division and eventually Warren Wilby broke clear to score an outstanding individual try to reduce the deficit to two points. As the final ten minutes approached both sides lifted their efforts for one final push for victory. Diss prop forward Matt Richards was sin binned and the tide looked to have turned towards the North Norfolk Club. Diss responded superbly and immediately put Holt under intense pressure. Following Richards return and a yellow card for a Holt forward the hugely experienced Timothy Groom crashed over for what proved the winning score. The relief was obvious to all and Diss closed out the game with consummate ease. This was an outstanding local derby with bags of effort and graft from both clubs. Ultimately Diss had enough confidence and experience to exert pressure in the key areas and at crucial times.