Diss 44 : 14 Basildon - 11th April 2015

Diss completed their League season with a ruthless and dominating performance against lowly Basildon. Whilst the score suggests a totally one-sided affair Diss actually found themselves 14-7 down with only five minutes remaining in the first half. Total control was however resumed in the second half with Diss entertaining a large crowd with some dazzling and at times over complicated three-quarter play.

The game initially took a long time to settle with both sides attempting to breach each others defensive patterns by attacking at pace through the midfield. On 25 minutes following direct running through the Basildon midfield No 8 John Laurie crashed through a number of tackles to score the opening try. Jack Peacock stepped up to convert and Diss were on the scoreboard after a rather indifferent opening period. Diss now decided to bring Basildon back into the game. Following an attempt to attack from within their own half and a ridiculous short lineout throw Basildon scored two converted tries and led leading up to half time. Diss now stepped up to the mark with Giles West scoring a beautiful try following outstanding handling from Jack Keppel and Tom Holt.

From the kick –off Tom Holt scored his first try capitalising on a Basildon handling error and John Laurie stepped up to score just before the half time whistle , giving Diss a 22-14 lead. Diss controlled the second half from start to finish, not only maintaining a constant supply of possession but also dominating territory and tactically improving from the weaknesses exhibited in the first half. On 51 minutes Giles West scored his second try wide on the left and 9 minutes later Chris Craven charged over for his debut First XV try following a direct break and superb off-load from Jack Peacock. Diss now attacked at every opportunity when positioned in the Basildon half and on 70 minutes produced the score of the game following simple but accurate handling between the entire three - quarter line that allowed Will Scott to score wide on the right. Tom Holt completed the scoring with his second try two minutes later to give Diss a home draw in the play-off final in two weeks-time.