Disappointing results for Diss and Wymondham
Jake Wharton gets a tackle in as Norwich take on league leaders Woodford at Beeston Hyrne in a match the visitors won 26-12 Picture: ANDY MICKLETHWAITE - Credit: Archant
Diss maintained their policy of playing young players across all the key positions in Saturday's home clash with Amersham & Chiltern in London One North.
The game ended in a 48-14 defeat but Diss deserved better than that.
Having conceded an early penalty, the hosts took control for most of the first quarter and Matt Richards, Peter Bray, Sam Jacobs and captain John Bergin all drove close to the breakdown, eventually forcing the referee to award a penalty try.
Diss lost concentration for a 10 minute period, allowing Amersham to score three converted tries through Steven Gibson, Michael Brothers and Dan Kingsley. But they recovered on the cusp of half-time with George Easton, Cullam Roberts and Ali Brooks setting up further attacking positions from which the outstanding Matt Richards scored a deserved second try which George Jones converted.
The loss of Chris Beaird through injury then had an impact - although Connor McBryde proved a more than capable replacement - and Amersham scored a bonus point try through their forwards before further tries followed in the final quarter from Jake Cutter, Dave John and Kingsley.
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Diss, who remain 10 points adrift at the foot of the table, travel to mid-table Southend Saxons on Saturday.
Meanwhile Wymondham's London Three Eastern Counties titles hopes suffered a setback when they beaten 18-16 at rivals Holt in front of a large crowd at Bridge Road, with an impressive first half just enough to see the hosts complete a hard-fought double.
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Within 15 minutes Holt were 11 points ahead through three James Wyatt penalties and a try by Aaron Tagg. Wymondham reduced the arrears with a Charlie Delaney penalty and just after the break a second penalty made it 11-6.
The critical score came from a blindside break by Bruce van Poortvliet who created space for Alastair Hughs to score, with Wyatt's conversion making it 18-6. Wymondham responded strongly but fell just short, despite tries from Delaney and Jamie Hunter.
Holt remain third on points difference from Wymondham, with Ely now three clear at the top after beating Thurston 22-3. Holt are in pole position by virtue of having a game in hand on their rivals.
Wymondham have a chance to go back to the top of the table on Saturday when they welcome Ely to Barnard Fields for another big game. Holt also have a tough game a fourth placed West Norfolk.
