SATURDAY see Diss RFC renew their rivalry with near neighbours North Walsham up at Scottow, kick-off 3pm.Walsham are only two points above Diss in the table, and with many players having played for both clubs, there is bound to be an extra rivalry to the game.

SATURDAY see Diss RFC renew their rivalry with near neighbours North Walsham up at Scottow, kick-off 3pm.

Walsham are only two points above Diss in the table, and with many players having played for both clubs, there is bound to be an extra rivalry to the game.

The Saracens are also playing up at Scottow against North Walsham, kick-off 2.15pm. Walsham are below us in the table, and the Saracens are desperate to play after Bracknell last minute cancellation of the fixture last week.

The 3rds are away at Watton, kick-off 2.15pm. Diss are league leaders in this league, seven places above their opponents this week, and with a strong squad will be looking to take all the points.

The 4ths are at home to West Norfolk at Mackenders kick-off 2.15pm. This squad, which has played together all season, is showing an impressive run of form, and should be good entertainment for those spectators who cannot make the trip to Scottow.

Diss 19, Bracknell 25

Diss again found out the hard way that at National League level there is a fine line between winning and losing. A single decision or a knock-on can change the outcome of a game - as was again demonstrated on Saturday.

High-flying Bracknell came to Diss full of confidence after a convincing win at home. With their powerful scrum and fast back line, it looked like Diss were in for a long afternoon and a similar result. But yet again the rugby gods seem to have deserted Diss - having appeared briefly at Hertford last week.

Coach Gavin Brock had to make last minute changes with Aaron Bliss taking the place of Alex Kelsall, and Rhuan Jones and Elliot Page filling the subs bench.

From the kick off, with the size and power of the Bracknell pack much in evidence - both in the set piece and running with the ball - Diss were forced into giving away a series of penalties, only one of which was converted successfully.

After 15 minutes Diss started to apply some pressure of their own, with a kick over the defence, just evading the finger tips of Aaron Bliss, while Seb Goodge made a last ditch touchdown behind the Diss try line with two Bracknell players also diving for the ball.

The power of the visitors' scrum eventually told with a catch and drive from the line-out, which pushed the Diss scrum back from the 22m line, which was converted.

Diss responded with a clever long kick by Seb Goodge that rolled and rolled. The referee adjudged that the defence had just beaten Aaron Bliss for the touchdown.

Bracknell then had their No 6 yellow carded for persistently stopping the Diss maul on their goal line - and with the man advantage the back line put Chris Beaird through to score a try under the posts, which he successfully converted.

Just before the half time whistle, Beaird showed his defensive strengths with a last man tackle to save a certain try after a rampaging run from the visitors' No 8.

And six minutes into the second half Beaird chased his own chip and chase to beat the full-back to the bounce to dive over in the corner.

Unfortunately, he injured himself in scoring, so missed the conversion, and was immediately substituted by Semi Roccotovitovi. Aaron Bliss then popped his shoulder and had to be replaced by Rhuan Jones.

Again Bracknell came back through the power of their forwards, to score another pushover try, with Ali Butler having to retire from the fray to be replaced by Elliot Page.

In the 65th minute the referee gave a try to the visitors in the corner, again successfully converted.

But Carl Smith then intercepted a long pass from the Bracknell fly-half, and sprinted 40m to score under the posts - Warren Wilby converting.

Diss were under pressure from the kick-off, and after a series of penalties the referee awarded a penalty try. But a casually taken conversion from in front of the posts hit the upright, assuring Diss of at least a bonus point.

Bracknell were clearly the more powerful side, but as in most of the matches this season, Diss were not outplayed. All eyes will now turn to this weekend's big game - at North Walsham.