Island invasion by Diss RFC

Jersey 67, Diss 5

DISS travelled to Jersey on Friday evening for their first league game overseas, and came up against a professional side who were a class above Diss except in commitment.

Commitment was also shown by the large travelling support that invaded the island, with nearly 80 supporters urging the teams on, and keeping the club bar open longer than normal!

Due to injury and unavailability of players due to work, there was a changed and younger look to the firsts and Saracens teams, with a new captain in Deaglan Hall after Adam Williamson's injury last week.

The team was strengthened by the return of Tim Groom, Andy Thorpe and Mike Fuller who were unavailable for the previous week's match against North Walsham.

From the kick-off Jersey showed their speed and handling, and were soon keeping the scoreboard turning over. Injuries to John Llewellyn and Andy Thorpe led to Josh Ludkin and Greg Gaughin coming on early.

Chris Baird was then taken off with cracked ribs following a shoulder barge that went unpunished by the referee. Half-time: 26-0.

The second half was another series of both pack and backs tries for the home side, before Pete Bray, who had earlier replaced Tim Groom, scored one of his trademark rumbles from the five- metre line following a series of penalties - to huge cheers from the travelling supporters.

Steve MacQueen, who was playing his second match of the day, then had to be taken off following another illegal tackle, and the game finished with the sight of Tim Groom back on, in his unaccustomed role as winger.

There is a gulf appearing in the league between those with money and those without, and Diss will have to fight for every point in this league.

The Saracens also played. Again Diss were forced into changes, with many changes throughout the team.

After competing at the beginning of the match, they eventually lost 48-17 with tries and conversions by Crayton and Stephenson.