Basingstoke 37, Diss 22Diss were in a position near half-time where they should have won this game of rugby, but again they let the points slip.It was a changed side again due to injuries, with selection changes being made on the morning due to illness.

Basingstoke 37, Diss 22

Diss were in a position near half-time where they should have won this game of rugby, but again they let the points slip.

It was a changed side again due to injuries, with selection changes being made on the morning due to illness.

The match started with a strong breeze in Diss faces, but soon they were on the attack. A fine move through the backs was just knocked on when Diss had the overlap, but the referee, who had been playing advantage, called play back for the penalty, which Warren Wilby put between the posts.

The scores were soon even again as Diss were penalised for offside but, as with the majority of the opponents this season, Basingstoke's back line were bigger and slicker than Diss, and only a series of handling errors led to them not putting more points on the board.

With 20 minutes gone, the Basingstoke number eight was yellow carded for persistent offences, and from a Basingstoke scrum, the power of the Diss pack caused the ball to shoot out for Mike Fuller to pick up and cross the line for the try, which was converted by Warren Wilby.

Diss then entered the best period of the match with both sides attacking and defending well.

The pack held up the Basingstoke pack as it crossed the line and Chris Beaird stole the ball as another player crossed the line.

In attack Diss, led by Deaglan Hall, were causing problems as well and after they drove the Basingstoke pack off the ball Andy Thorpe beat three players, cutting in from the wing to score near the posts. Warren Wilby again converted.

With three minutes of the first half to play, Mike Fuller was sent to the bench for 10 minutes and despite good defence, Basingstoke were able to score a converted try late in the half, 10-17.

The second half started with the home side on the front foot. Warren Wilby missed a long-range penalty and from then on it was a series of four tries by the home side before Matt Richards broke out of a catch and drive from the line-out, to run 15 metres to score. Unfortunately, the conversion missed.

With the last play of the game Basingstoke scored again.

At 17-3 up late in the first half Diss were in a position where they should have won this game, but their inexperience in closing out a winning position, and the hosts' ability, saw Diss again lose out on four points.