DISS Rugby Club take to the air this week with the first visit for the first XV to the island of Jersey in National League Three London and SE Division.And, at the request of Jersey, they are also taking a Saracens team.

DISS take to the air this week with the first visit for the first XV to the island of Jersey in National League Three London and SE Division.

And, at the request of Jersey, they are also taking a Saracens team.

As the teams are flying tomorrow to allow the team to prepare for the game, this has led to selection problems for the coaches due to work commitments.

This trip has been much anticipated, especially by the supporters, of whom at least 70 are travelling either with the official club flights or making their own travel arrangements from different parts of Europe.

Jersey are one of the favourites for promotion, and Diss anticipate both a warm welcome and a stern test.

Diss 10, North Walsham 16

THE historic derby game between Diss and North Walsham had been built up in the press and among the rival supporters, and there was a nervous atmosphere around the ground.

In the end it was a win for North Walsham but Diss coach Gavin Brock was satisfied with the display of his side in their first league meeting with the north Norfolk side.

'You never like losing but I thought in the circumstances we gave a good account of ourselves,' he said.

'I don't want to make excuses but four players missed the match because they were on holiday, while another was at a wedding. On top of that we had some injuries, so there were a lot of youngsters out there. It shows how far we have come that we can have half a team out and still compete against a good side like North Walsham.'

A very large, but good-natured crowd welcomed both teams onto the pitch, having been able to watch the first half of the Saracens v North Walsham II.

Diss began the match on the front foot but, like the matches against Tring and Bracknell, were not able to convert their sustained pressure on the Walsham line into points, and paid with Walsham scoring a penalty from their first attack.

Captain Adam Williamson was replaced By Chris Baird, following a bad leg injury, and following a yellow card for Richard Horne, Pete Bray came on for his debut, as front row replacement. Walsham used their man advantage to score an unconverted try, followed quickly by a penalty when the Diss pack were yet again penalised for illegal work on the ground. Just before half-time Chris Baird kicked a penalty for a score 11-3 at the break.

The second half was similar to the first, with both sides probing and with the game littered with mistakes and penalties, two of which were missed by Walsham. After 20 minutes Ali Butler was replaced by Damien Riley and Josh Williams by Pete Bray.

Following a yellow card for Walsham for a second high tackle, Rhuan Jones scored a converted try, which set up a thrilling last 10 minutes.

Pete Bray was then yellow-carded, and Walsham were able to use their power in the pack to push over for the winning score.

In such closely-contested matches, Diss will have to be more disciplined and take their chances.

Diss said goodbye to Gideon Rossouw, and wish him well when he returns to South Africa.