Half term meant that we were short of some key players and only managed to muster 13 in total. Fortunately Diss were able to loan us a couple of players and equally fortunately there were no injuries.
Initially we feared that the boys hadn’t learnt from the Ipswich drubbing but then it began to click. Indeed the game was, as the scoreline suggests, very even with both sides displaying equal amounts of passion and skills. We were quicker to the breakdown than last week with Josh Wallis, Jack Cullis and Jack FS often being the first there. Jon Utting at prop and Joe McKay at No.8 boosted our scrum who were much better and stronger than last week – often too strong for the referee! Christian Trash continued to rip ball off the opposition. Our backs had more of a chance to fling it around with James Scarle demonstrating real pace and great angles resulting in two of our tries. All agreed that the tied score was an appropriate result.
For the third game running, Southwold had a changed team due to holidays but they were keen to play the open rugby that saw them win against Ipswich last weekend. Unlike previous games, Southwold did not let the opposition dictate the pace from the outset. Following a good turnover of possession by the forwards Connor G avoided his tackler and fed Jacob E, who in turn found Darius allowing him to out sprint the defence to score his first try. Nearly a carbon copy for the second try after some nifty footwork from Connor G on the half way line allowing him to pass to Darius. Again he outpaced the covering defence for half the length of the pitch to score his second try. Diss were keen runners and some fine tackling from Innes, Cairns and Jacob B kept their forwards at bay. In the scrum the front row of Tim, Cairns and Zak were winning ball at ease. Jake at scrum half and Connor at fly were controlling the game.
Keiron made a good run from fullback after a long punt down field, and he found Sam a willing runner down the flank. Good cover tackling from Diss brought this move to an end short of the 22. Disruption in the line out from Connor C and Michiel allowed Jacob E to pick up the loose ball and power his way under the posts, duly converted by Darius. From the kick off came Wold’s only real lapse in play, as no one claimed the high ball and allowing it to bounce into the Diss players hands. His powerful run left tacklers in his wake, and he scored a converted try.
Diss tried to get back into the game but some perfect tackles from Jake, Connor and Jacob ensured the defence was not broken again. After a good run from fly half position, centres Jacob E and Sam W combined well to set Darius free down the left wing. For the third time in the half he sprinted clear of the Diss players to claim his hat trick of tries.
Alex came into the game at half time and his presence was soon felt by Diss, as he led the forwards up field. Connor B picked up in broken play and ploughed forward through tackles. Good passing from the backs allowed Jacob E to score a well worked try and to claim his second, converted well by Connor G. Southwold were playing some flowing rugby, working the rucks and mauls through the forwards and Jake T running with the ball in hand. Jacob E then claimed his hat trick as he split open the Diss centres with a dummy and ran 60 yards to score, again converted by Connor.
The came the try of the match, or was it? After constant pressure on the Diss line, Connor C picked up the ball and dived over ‘the line’ looking up to hopefully see his team mates congratulate him. In fact he found the coach’s on the side line telling him he dived over the 5m line, and to keep playing. Connor took it all in good spirit. The final try was to fall to one of the forwards, to give them reward for the hard work in the game. The Diss fly half looked to kick for touch only to find Zak not just charging down the kick but holding on to it as it left his foot. He dived over the line for a well deserved try.
Final result 41-7, and a very good team performance acknowledged by the watching parents of both teams.
