Diss 27, Bishops Stortford 33RUGBY: It was a warm welcome for visitors Bishops Stortford for the first match of the season at Mackenders.Straight from the kick-off, a chip over the line was caught, Stortford attacked and their full-back was under the posts for and easy seven points.

Diss 27, Bishops Stortford 33

RUGBY: It was a warm welcome for visitors Bishops Stortford for the first match of the season at Mackenders.

Straight from the kick-off, a chip over the line was caught, Stortford attacked and their full-back was under the posts for and easy seven points.

This was the story of the first 25 minutes where Diss either lost possession or gave away penalties and Stortford were 20 points up.

The pack then turned over the ball on a Stortford line-out and the ball came to Rhun Jones whose line cut through the defence to score near the posts. Chris Beaird converted. The pack were starting to even up the game, with some good drives and offloads, with the most promising attack being halted by a deliberate knock-on, but nothing resulted from the penalty.

Just before half-time Stortford increased their lead when their number 10, who had an inspired game, put another penalty over. Half-time 7-23.

The start of the second half saw Diss on the front foot, winning a series of penalties with Chris Beaird scoring from the one kickable penalty. Pete Bray was substituted with Deaglan Hall coming into the back row and Mike Fuller moving to hooker.

Stortford were soon awarded a penalty, as Diss thought he was going for the three points, the full- back kicked the cross-field ball for their number 10, who was unmarked, to score an easy try.

Aarron Bliss and Josh Williams were soon both leaving the field due to injury, to be replaced by Josh Ludkin and Andy Horne, with Steve Hipwell moving out to the centre. By now the pack were beginning to control the game and following a catch and drive near the scoreboard, the ball went down the back line with Steve MacQueen taking advantage of the overlap to score in the corner. Steve was then yellow carded, but despite much pressure Diss held out for that 10 minutes, and when the Stortford captain was yellow carded, Diss took full advantage with MacQueen scoring in the corner following turnover ball by the pack.

Chris Beaird rounded off the game with a chip over the Stortford number 14 and he beat the full-back to the ball to score.

There was a successful conversion by Chris Beaird, with Stortford winning by 27-33. Diss though beaten, did earn the bonus point by scoring the four tries.

Despite defeat, there were many positives for the coaches to take from this display against a side that finished well above them in the table last year, and they will have learnt at what stage the team is at with regards fitness, cohesion and state of mind.

This weekend Diss are at home against Havant.