Enfield Ignatians 11 : 15 Diss - 28th February 2015

Diss maintained their position as one of the front runners in London Two North West with a hard fought and ultimately deserved victory against Enfield Ignations. Enfield were competitive throughout the game and deserve great credit for the way in which they stretched a dominant Diss side, who continue to record positive results away from home.

The early exchanges were very even and highlighted the fact that a strong cross wind would ultimately play a key role in the outcome of this well contested encounter. Enfield opened the scoring with a penalty after 15 minutes following sustained pressure at the breakdown. Diss now responded in a most positive fashion by attacking through their back division. Whilst honours were even in the forwards for most of the afternoon , Diss certainly had the upper hand with ball in hand. A number of attacking thrusts indicated that when the right moment arose Diss were more than capable of cutting open the Enfield midfield. On the 20 minute mark Giles West fielded a high kick and set off into the opposition half. Superb handling between Josh Ludkin and Jack Keppel sent winger Dougie Moir through to score a superb opening try for the visitors. Enfield responded following another Diss infringement at a ruck to increase their lead to 6-5 with half time approaching. The home team were certainly now taking advantage of the cross wind and constantly directed the ball deep into the Diss Twenty two. Following a successful line out take close to the Diss line Enfield set up a secure rolling maul that crashed over to give the home side a 11-5 lead at half time.

Throughout the game neither side asserted consistent pressure within the red zone . That said, the intention of both teams was to attack with ball in hand and this led to an exciting and open game of rugby. Diss started the second half in the ascendancy and pressured the Enfield half with an attacking style that augured well for the remainder of the game. With honours continuing to be even up front, the Diss three quarters led by Jack Peacock, Jamie Burroughs, Jack Keppel and Man of the Match Josh Ludkin were beginning to swing the game in the visitors favour. After being awarded a penalty, the ever present Ryan Carter set off with the ball and fed Josh Ludkin who found Dougie Moir in space on the left. For the second time in the match, Dougie Moir took his try exceedingly well to bring Diss to within one point of the Enfield total.

The strength of the wind now allowed Diss to pressurise Enfield at regular intervals. Perhaps at times Diss tried to over complicate matters and failed to release quality ball when overlaps were on offer. However, following a super break from Jamie Burroughs supported by Jack Peacock ,Prop forward Peter Bray found himself with the ball just inside the opposition 22 metre line. Showing an amazing turn of speed Bray sprinted to the line to score what proved to be the decisive score of the game. With Ten minutes remaining Enfield attacked from their own half but forthright Diss defence and tactical kicking from Jack Peacock and Jack Keppel maintained pressure deep into the Enfield half, allowing Diss the opportunity to see out another hard fought and crucial victory.