Diss 3s 29: 5 Broadland 2s - 26th November 2016

Diss thirds were rampant on Saturday scoring the bonus point win to keep them top of the table going into the Christmas period. The thirds welcomed back James Winterbottom into the pack and Nick Yager replaced Jack Owen in the back row with the rest of the side having a familiar look to it especially Mike Jones playing to number 8. The game starting with Broadland scoring almost immediately when a scrum close to the half way led to the Broadland ten making space and a missed tackle in the centres led to a try for the coastal based side. Diss regrouped and for the rest of the game played on the front foot. A massive kick through by Adam Williamson led a Diss lineout and after a period of play the ball got out wide to Naz Girgin to score close to the posts to get Diss back into the game and take the lead with the conversion. More attacking play by the Diss pack, who started to dominate the bigger Broadland pack, led to another attack this time led by Dan Goodson who made a break and well supported by Will Foote. James Winterbottom was starting to find his feet at this level and managed to make a break and Diss went out wide to almost score again but went back for the penalty in front of the posts which was scored to take the score to 10-5.

Diss began to use the backs hands and Benny Goodman made yards with a scissor move and Jarry Ryan saw plenty of ball out wide to keep the Broadland backs on their toes. Mike Jones made two good breaks playing a Gilbert move from number eight which gave Diss possession again and a delightful chip and chase by Adam Williamson who followed and scored from his own kick gave Diss another try which was converted. Diss had to do their fair share of tackling with Nick Yager putting his body and ear on the line to make certain Broadland never got over the gain line and at half time the game was 17-5.

Changes were made at half time with the flu recovering Jack Owen replacing Nick Yager and Seb Goodge coming on at full back to make the back line more solid and Ben Walker coming on in the second row. The Diss pack started to dominate the Broadland pack with good work by Freddie Cornish at prop and Diss began to get themselves into a position to push for a bonus point. Ben Brooks went close with a run out wide and another replacement Jake Meers also had a good run out wide but the move of the day was scored by captain Benny Goodman who started and finished the try which went from one side of the pitch to the other when a simple pass from Williamson ensured a try scored close to the posts.

Broadland had a period of play when Diss spent much time defending with Jack Owen making several tackles near the try line but the experience of Goodge and Williamson ensured no more points were scored by the opposition. One last try and the most important bonus point try was scored by a well worked lineout that was won by Diss and a 10 man pushover try scored by Owen Atkinson.

The bonus point keeps Diss clear at the top with only Lowestoft and Yarmouth to play before they reach the half way stage. Next week’s cup game gives the thirds a different set of priorities to concentrate on but before that is the Christmas squad dinner on the Friday night which will help double up as a team bonding session.

Report by Benny Goodman