Depleted Diss hold on

Diss recorded a good away 15-10 win at Westcliff, despite having to field a much changed side due to injuries sustained in training.

Both selected centres had to be replaced and, as if that wasn't enough, fly-half Zak Seward sustained a serious knee injury after just 20 minutes of play.

The stalemate was broken in the 23rd minute when the Westcliff pack were caught offside and Chris Beaird converted the resulting penalty. The lead lasted just three minutes before the Westcliff outside centre converted a another penalty awarded for offside.

Worse was to come for the substantial away support when a Diss attack was held up over the line and a quick break ended with the home open side flanker scoring near the posts, with the try being converted.

Diss responded by going on the attack and were rewarded four minutes later when Warren Wilby floated a cleverly weighted kick towards the right corner and winger Andy Thorpe outpaced the opposition defence to score. A difficult conversion kick was missed but the Westcliff lead was now down to just two points.

After the break Andy Horne was yellow carded for what was adjudged to be a professional foul. But Diss held firm and, shortly after returning to full strength, they took the lead.

After turning the ball over in the loose, the pack released the ball to the backs and Warren Wilby sprinted down field before being tackled on the Westcliff five metre line.

The Diss pack was quick to the breakdown and was in the process of scoring before being illegally robbed of the ball. The referee ran between the posts to indicate a penalty try and Beaird made no mistake with the conversion to give Diss a five point lead.

The home side forced the visitors to desperately defend in the final minutes but they managed to hold on for a fine victory.