Diss IIIs 11 : 7 Norwich Union - 19th December 2015

Diss took their unbeaten run to seven matches to finish 2015 at the top of the league after a narrow victory over a well drilled Norwich Union side. The line-up had a few changes, Nick Yager was rested for the Christmas period and was replaced in the second row by Mike Jones and Andy Macallister came into the centre to play alongside skipper Benny Goodman, Jo Point break Kindlysides came into the back row and joined Jack Owen who recently became a homeowner and Ethan Page. The game started with Diss putting pressure on the Norwich Union line and Diss went close on several occasions, but Norwich Union, who had only lost once all season, held firm. Diss scored however when after good work in the lineout buy Gareth Watts led to a scrum near the five metre line and Jay Kindlysides went over in the corner. Norwich began to find their feet in the game and spent the next twenty minute period camped in the Diss twenty two, several tackles were made, but Diss managed to get through the pressure and got back into Norwich Unions end and almost scored through Ben Brooks who went through a gap out wide and just got caught, also Charlie Oakes got held up on the try line when through. The whistle went for half time and Diss were leading only 5-0. Norwich Union got into the game close to the kick-off when Diss failed to clear the ball and after a turn over ball put their centre in space to score a converted try to bring the game in Union’s favour 7-5. Changes got made, Yager for Owen and Fred Precious who has already got use to rescuing Diss from the bench came on the wing as did Naz Gurgin, David Rackham who was solid got replaced at tighthead by Mark Dungar and the game continued. Diss turned up the pressure and spent a period of time in the Union twenty two, Pete Bray went close after a barrelling run and skipper Goodman went close after a chip and chase. With fifteen minutes left Jay Kindlysides was replaced by the evergreen Seb Goodge and Diss were awarded a penalty skipper Goodman asked Naz Gurgin to go for the kick and Gurgin slotted the wide kick to give Diss the lead 8-7. Diss continued to attack and another kick and chase almost resulted in a try and after George West went close an up and under by Goodman got the captain in the opposition twenty two and resulted in another penalty this time in front of the posts which Gurgin slotted to give Diss a four point lead. There was only time for the kick off and Diss managed to collect the ball and clear for touch to give them victory.. Next stop Christmas and a happy new year to everybody associated to Diss Rugby Club.