On a sunny October’s afternoon in north Norfolk, Diss 2’s headed to Holt to entertain their large following. With 8 changes to the starting line up it was always going to be a challenge to start as well as they have in previous games. Holt kicked off, collected their own kick and the first tackle of the game was high and resulted in a yellow card to Big Rob Crawford. Holt attacked through their athletic forwards, offloading quickly to great effect resulting in them scoring within 3 minutes. 5-0. Holt’s pressure continued with slick passing and good ruck clear out’s not allowing Diss to get a foothold in the game but good tackling in the midfield from James Webster and ever-present winger Craig Kay with some big hits forced an error from the Holt backline with Webster collecting the loose ball on halfway to gallop in. 5-5. Diss with the wind on their backs started to control possession and played in the correct areas and slick hands from returning John Laurie, returning for his first game of the season to release Craig Kay down the wing for his first of the season. 5-10. Diss’s discipline with tackle height and handling errors with Holt’s passing inaccuracy in the next phase of the game equalling each other out until strong carriers from King and Germany, back from his first team debut, allowed Diss to pin Holt in their own half, where quick thinking young Leo Sargeant capitalised on a turnover at the ruck and sniped down the blind side turned the gas on past 3 Holt defenders for another one of his trademark tries. 5-17. After kick off Diss gathered cleanly and good ball retention and carries from Rix, Bye and Cornish set a platform for Goymour playing in an unfamiliar 10 role for his first game this season to kick down field, chased by 3 Diss players Woollat charged down the kick and with the resulting scrum the Holt backs expected the Diss backs to set up phases under the sticks but Laurie had other ideas cruising over the line unchallenged. 5-22.
Half time!
Captain West’s team talk didn’t hold back on Diss’s lacklustre start to the game and demanded more. He got that with Diss starting strongly with wind against them, handling was quick and precise from Hemmant and both Webster with Germany crashing it through the middle to allow Sargeant to snipe under the posts from 2m out. 5-29. Efficient carrying from Crawford and Bye allowed Webster to break down the wind for Holt to infringe on the 5m – Diss opted for the scrum for King to crash through the middle – Laurie sat at 12 and went under the sticks. 5-36. With 30 minutes to go Diss gave 2 debuts to Bye and Ash both keeping Diss on the front foot they had opportunities to keep the score board ticking over – West broke clear with a 2 on 1 passed to King from 50m out for the ball to spill 2m from the line along with Holt turning over the ball on their line twice and Diss spilling the ball twice over the line. Holt’s rugby ability and structure set back in with them utilising their strong 12 man bench – Diss battled but conceded late on with the game with strong Holt running. 10-36.
A changed Diss side lacked structure from previous weeks but any win away at Holt is a good win! MOM went to Leo Sargeant for his continuous work rate defensively and attacking with King and West both taking DOTD.

Submitted by Chris Craven