A damp but calm afternoon in North Norfolk saw the rival between two competitive teams, Diss and North
Walsham. After a week’s break from two back-to-back wins, Diss travelled in hope of continuing their
dominance.
Diss opted for the kick to start, received by Walsham for a swift clearance kick. After a few attacks from
either side, North Walsham received the put in for the first scrum of the game. Diss’s strong forwards
pack drove the home side backwards leading to a penalty kick to touch.
Both teams attacked hard in the first ten minutes of the match before a high tackle gave Diss the first go
at gaining three points. Aaron Frith converted the penalty to give Diss a starting 3-point lead.
North Walsham struck back strong with an attacking opportunity from a scrum, 5m out. The home side’s
Fly Half saw space out wide, putting boot to ball for North Walsham’s winger to catch and score the first
try of the game. An unsuccessful conversion left the score 5 - 3 to North Walsham.

Diss came back attacking strongly with positive, gain-line breaking carries from Harley Skidmore to open-
up space for George West to dance his way to the half-way line. Diss was awarded another penalty for

North Walsham’s inability to remove their hands from the ball in the ruck. Aaron Frith rewarded Diss with
another 3 points to lead the scoreboard 5 - 6, fifteen minutes from halftime.
Diss continued to hold off structured attacks from North Walsham forcing their flyhalf to put boot to ball.
John Webster, on the receiving end, ran past several defenders to allow Diss to kick and clear their lines.
Walsham returned with organized attacks for several phases, a held up try and previous high tackle gave
North Walsham the penalty to which they converted successfully. Walsham continued their stride in
attacks with strong carries from their forwards, opening space up for their backline to gain meters.
Another penalty was awarded against Diss, giving Walsham another easy 3 points to convert. The
scoreboard at half-time was 14-6 to the home side North Walsham.
Filled with determination and hunger for a win, Diss returned to the field. An early penalty to Walsham
was unsuccessfully converted, falling short and into the arms of Thomas Webster to clear the field with
boot to ball. North Walsham, however, continued their attacks with strong carry’s and smart plays, their
fly half once again chipped the ball over for their winger to score in the corner. Unsuccessfully converted,
the score rose to 19 – 6 just three minutes into the second half.
It was Diss’s turn to fight back with an attacking effort, Luke Miller gained valuable meters off the back of
the scrum setting up a relay of disciplined handling from Diss’s backs. Diss’s confidence grew on the ball
and continued, for several phases, their practiced structure of rugby. Quick tap and goes from three
consecutive penalties awarded for high tackles by the home side, led to fighting efforts by George West
to scramble Diss forward. An unfortunate held up try from Matt Richards sent Diss back for an attacking
scrum five meters out. Luke Miller picked the ball from the back of the scrum and went on a familiar
charge under the posts to score. Successfully converted by Aaron Frith, the scoreboard now 16 – 13 to
North Walsham.
Another successfully converted penalty from North Walsham, shortly after, continued their lead to 22 –
13. However, Diss, with plenty more left in the tank, disrupted a Walsham lineout on their 22m line
sending forwards to trundle forward, eventually opening space up for Tiger Shaw to coordinate Thomas
Webster into the corner. Successfully converted by Aaron Frith, the score 22 – 20. The stroke of strong
attacking play continued from sharp passing and quick decision making; to send the ball to the blind side
out of a ruck putting James Webster in for a try to lead Diss 22 – 25 in the 85

th minute. A swift restart and
regain of the ball, North Walsham didn’t give up hope. Diss fended numerous attacks with everything
they had. Try saving held ups made by Michael Jones kept Walsham clear from the try line until a final
pick and go attempt sent them over the whitewash to secure their home side their victory.
A hard-fought battle throughout with many positives for Diss to take away. The Man of the Match for
outstanding efforts in defence and attack awarded to Joe Gant.
Submitted by DOD Aaron Frith