Conversion drama

Diss 19, Civil Service 19

CIVIL Service kicked off and it was immediately obvious that this was a very different team than that faced by Diss last September. They had a far more physical presence and in particular their two locks towered over their Diss counterparts. The home side fell behind in the eighth minute when their forwards were caught offside on their own 22, and Civil Service fly-half Matt Easton converted with ease. Just two minutes later Diss were level when it was the turn of the visitors pack to be caught offside. Centre and skipper Adam Williamson confidently converted from a position left of the posts.

Nearly 20 minutes of play went by before there was a further score. Civil Service were once again caught offside, and Adam Williamson once again confidently converted to give Diss a momentary three point lead. Three minutes later the scores were once again level after the Civil Service fly-half converted a further penalty awarded after Diss were caught offside. The home side went on the attack from the kick-off and after pressurising the visitors defence, caught them offside. Adam Williamson restored the Diss lead after converting the resulting penalty. Three minutes later a Diss forward was adjudged to have been off his feet and the Civil Service fly-half levelled the score by converting the penalty. There was no further score before half-time.

Diss were forced to re-shuffle after second row Ollie Marriot was unfit to continue. Ali Butler moved to take his place, Gideon Rossouw to number eight and replacement Josh Williams took over at blind side flanker. Diss then began to play some good rugby, and were unfortunate not to score when they knocked the ball on in the process of crossing the opposition try-line. Shortly after a further Diss attack was rewarded. Andy Thorpe came off the right wing to cross the park linking up with Alex Kelsall on the left, and timing his pass superbly. The left winger still had work to do, but managed to duck through two attempted tackles before scoring an unconverted try in the left corner giving Diss a five point lead.

Civil Service went on the attack from the kick-off, and after putting the home defence under several minutes of pressure, their number eight Dan Sommerville forced his way over the line to score. The visitor's fly-half converted to give them a two point lead. This was increased as just four minutes later a Diss forward was caught off his feet, and the Civil Service number ten converted the resulting penalty.

With ten minutes remaining Diss full back Chris Beaird was replaced with Andy Thorpe moving to his position and Aarron Bliss coming on to the right wing. It was now the turn of Diss to put the opposition defence under a period of sustained pressure. Just as it looked as if Civil Service would hold out, scrum half Rick Holt picked up the ball at the base of the scrum and squeezed over to score a try in the left corner. Despite a valiant effort Adam Williamson narrowly missed with the conversion. The final whistle was blown just one minute later with the score level on 19-19.