One to forget as Diss lose out at Staines

RUGBY: In a match that will not linger long in the annals of the club, Diss were outplayed at Staines.

It was the scene of their controversial win two seasons ago that virtually guaranteed promotion for the south Norfolk club at the expense of Staines.

On a good day for playing rugby, Diss were disappointing, Staines were definitely up for the battle, and the final score accurately reflected the match.

Diss were behind in the sixth minute when the Staines winger scored a converted try, and from then on Diss were struggling to catch up.

Things were not helped when Mike Fuller was yellow carded on 15 minutes, but Diss held out despite being under great pressure until the 25 minute when the Staines number 10 scored the first of his three successful penalties.

Diss were blighted the whole game by many mistakes, knock-ons, penalties and a second yellow when Keith Rix had to sit on the sidelines for 10 minutes, leaving Staines with an easy time scoring three converted tries, and three penalties.

Diss played like 15 individuals and not like a team, the whole squad and coaching team will have to look deep this week before the visit of Civil Service to Mackenders.

Diss have now played most of the top sides and it will be vital that they start to gather points against neatest teams in the league.

Diss III 16, Norfolk Medics 12

A fine afternoon for rugby produced a fine display of rugby by two evenly matched teams at Mackenders on Saturday.

The Medics started at a lightning pace and scored their first try in the first three minutes, which was also converted.

When the Blues found themselves inside the visitors' half and gaining a penalty it was quickly decided to be kicked for the sticks. Hard tackling and scrimmaging continued until the Medics were pounding on the home sides door within the five metre line where they went over only to be thwarted by being held up but the ensuing play after the scrum put the visitors 12-3 up at the break following a try out wide.

The kick-off by scrum-half DC that was chased and won on the floor by Dale Gooderham then followed up with a fly hack and pick-up from Deaglan Hall the only Diss try was scored, converted well by DC.

The game flowed from one end to the other with the Medics missing a penalty and Diss scoring two from the boot of DC.

A last-ditch effort for a drop goal from the Medics' fly-half went poorly low and wide, and the Blues managed to keep them out until the final whistle.