The scene was set for the first home game of the season at Mackenders. The pitch was looking in fine condition, thanks to the endless work of the Diss groundsmen, and the sun was shining, a perfect day for rugby. Diss were forced into several changes from the side that went to Ely the previous week, due to injury and unavailability, most notable Toby Drake who has broken his foot again in his first full match after having the same injury halfway through last season.

Diss won the toss and elected to kick to Saffron Walden. The pregame nerves were soon gone once they settled into their defensive pattern, keeping Saffron Walden within their own half for the first 20 minutes of the game. Diss were unable to capitalize on this pressure and put any points on the board. Saffron Walden eventually started to progress up the pitch and were awarded a penalty, which they kicked deep into the Diss 22. From the resulting line out, the larger Saffron Walden pack manage to secure their own line out ball, which they struggled to for most of the game, and drove over the line for the first try of the game.

This rejuvenated the Diss team soon returned to the opposition half, gained a penalty of their own, which Aaron Frith dually converted. Before the half was out Saffron Walden cancelled out with a penalty of their own.

The second half was a role reversal of the first half. Diss’s defence was once again holding strong, to force Saffron Walden to opt for another kick at goal, extending their lead to 13-3. Saffron Walden continued to apply the pressure to the Diss defence, and the penalties were adding up. Eventually the inevitable happened, with the Diss penalties adding up for Offside and not rolling away, the referee had had enough, and Prop Matt Richards was given a yellow card.

Diss defence continued to work hard being pinned on their own goal line. The Saffron Walden back row replacement had thought he had crossed the line for a try, but a strong last grasp tackle from two Diss players dislodged the ball, forcing a knock on. From, the resulting scrum Saffron Walden pressure was too much and the Diss line broke allowing the away team to score a converted try.

Diss returned to full strength once Richards returned to the field, they produced an early contender for try of the season, The Diss pack gave solid scrum ball deep in their own 22, the ball was fed out to the departing Haydon Watling, who is off to travel and play in New Zealand for the next 2 years, busted the Saffron Walden defensive line and made it to the Diss 10m line before Feeding Thomas Webster who still had to out pace several defenders before rounding the full back to dot down under the post. With the Score at 20-10 to Saffron Walden, Diss now went on the attack to try and get there first win off the season.

Diss had one more attempt to gain a losing bonus point but were unable to capitalise on a penalty in Saffron Walden’s half. Although this was another close lose for the home side, there were yet more positives to come from the game and the new coaching teams influences was very evident. Diss, now looking forward to 2 away fixtures, starting with a trip to Southwold next Saturday 21st September kick-off at 3.00 pm, then Bury St Edmunds, will hope to carry the positives from the last two games and see further improvements.