West Norfolk 15 : 20 Diss Saracens - 1st October 2016

This match report has to start, with the huge amount of unavailability of players. Due to injuries, absence or Diss 1st XV taking a number of players, it was very much a last minute put together side, whom delivered due to the impressive squad numbers Diss RFC holds this season.

The match commenced finally, after locating a decent match ball. It was torrential rain, which meant it was going to be a hard afternoon with a much lighter pack than that of West Norfolk’s. However, that said Diss Saracens fronted up well. With that of Freddie Cornish, the return of Peter Bray and Dan Goodson returning after 4 years out of the game and the ever reliable Nick Garnham. Nick Yager also had a good game, along with man of the match “Bushy”, aka Ryan Shannon stepping in at Hooker. Diss opened the score line 5 mins into the game, after some impressive forwards play with Peter Bray dotting down, Adam Goymour added the conversion. Diss Saracens had a first impressive first half, as despite the weather some very open rugby was played which tested both defences. All Diss Saracens points were scored in the first half, West were next to put points on the score sheet however with a penalty mid-way through the first .Diss did play on the edge throughout the game. Diss struck back shortly after, with some impressive attacking play with Tom Miller finishing off and punching through, conversion missed. Diss now 12-3 up, but this wasn’t the end of the try scoring fest in the first half. As interlinking play between Diss’s forwards and backs following from a strong run from Adam Goymour and Peter Bray, Tiger Shaw and Will Edwards made light work of the overlap to Ryan Shannon who dotted down in the corner. Conversion missed from out wide, but the score now looking healthy at 17-3 with 5 mins left to play. Diss continued to put on the pressure, which resulted in a penalty kick opportunity, which Adam Goymour put over to make it 20-3 at half-time.

The second half was a very telling tale, Diss had the lighter pack and not the home advantage. As West Norfolk were a very different and stronger side, in the scond half. They switched a forward to the centre, who made plenty of crash ball to create opportunities for them. Resulting in a try 10 minutes in, which there inside centre converted. The score now 20-10, Diss had to dig deep to retain the lead and get the winning result. Diss were making good work in keeping most of the match played in West Norfolk’s half, with West only making advantages by Diss Saracens mistakes. Hayhoe in the centre was making solid work in the Defence keeping the centre at bay along with Tom Miller. But despite some good work throughout the team, it couldn’t prevent one further score from West to make it 20-15. With 5 minutes left to play, Diss ensured by the boot of Adam Goymour and Will Edwards that Diss continued to play down West’s half of the pitch and with the last play of the game, eventually after Andy Mcalister’s failed attempt to kick out of touch, Diss piled on pressure on West to force a knock on to conclude the game.

Next week see’s Diss at Home against North Walsham, who have now dropped to fifth in the league. Neverthelss, the importance of another win is essential as it draws tighter in the margins at the top of the table.

Report by Adam Goymour – Diss Saracens Captain.