Norfolk Plate Final: Diss Saracens 30 : 7 Holt 2s

In perfect playing conditions the Saracens and old foes Holt produced an entertaining match worthy of the occasion. The handling intent of the Saracens was evident from kick off and after a number of phases quick hands by veteran Adam Williamson put flying winger Ali Thomas into space to score the opening try. Diss struggled with the kick offs during the first half and from another error the Holt fullback showed good pace to go through the Diss defence for a 7-5 lead.

Back came Diss and after strong running from Raymond Knapp a clever change of direction from skipper Seb Goodge found Paul Cayley, who powered over, with Goodge converting. Diss continued to have an edge in the forwards and the dogged Ricky Horne scored a typical try from a line out driving maul to extend the Diss lead. Fly half Goodge then hit a sweetly struck drop goal to get the score to 20-7 at half time.

The second half became very physical and after a flare up the referee decided to yellow card 2 players from each team having already carded 3 others in separate incidents. Diss coped better with the situation and their better finishing skills saw Knapp score in the corner to improve the lead. Player of the season Vic Garnham had a typically industrious match in tandem with the strong running Josh Monks and Junior Cayley and their work put Wilbur Hemmant into space who passed to Adam Rogers for the Saracens fifth try.

Any chance Holt had of a comeback was thwarted by the arrival on the pitch of the thunderous Benny Goodman whose attack and defence work repeatedly stopped their attempts to get out of their half. The Diss squad duly completed an historic cup and league double for the first time in their history and after the match even former skipper William Foote had to admit that they were the best Saracens team in the history of the club.

Report by Seb Goodge