RUGBY UNION: Diss 17, Ipswich 15: There was always going to be an edge about this derby game, and so it proved to be with a closely contested physical game. Diss were determined to avenge the previous meeting earlier on in the season, when Diss threw away the game by giving away a try and penalty in the last minute.

Diss 17, Ipswich 15

There was always going to be an edge about this derby game, and so it proved to be with a closely contested physical game. Diss were determined to avenge the previous meeting earlier on in the season, when Diss threw away the game by giving away a try and penalty in the last minute. With a large Diss contingent making the journey to Ipswich, expectations were therefore high, nothing less than a win would do.

With wing forward Stuart Butler starting the match in the unfamiliar role of centre, Diss began the match tentatively, probing and testing out the Ipswich defence. With Richard and Andrew Horne once again in the forefront of Diss forward play, it wasn't long before the pressure that Diss were exerting paid off. In what is now becoming a trademark rolling maul, the Diss pack moved the Ipswich forwards backwards a good twenty yards to their own line, Richard Horne taking the ball over for a well deserved try. This opening ten minutes proved to be a reflection of the remainder of the game with thrust and counter thrust in equal measure from both teams. Within minutes Diss were on the backfoot after a penalty was awarded against them which was converted. With the Afrikaans contingent for Ipswich proving to be a handful it wasn't long before Ipswich responded with a fine try breaking through the centre with a miss move that confused the Diss defence. Ten - Five. With typical determination Diss took the game back to Ipswich and it was from another driving maul that Diss were able to establish the lead going into half time. Pushing the Ipswich pack backwards from a scrimmage, Andrew Horne was able to grab the ball from the base of the scrum and stretch over to score, conversion by Kevin Cayley. Twelve - ten. With some fine defensive displays, in particular from Ross Wardlaw and Aaron Bliss, Diss turned around at half time confident in their display. The second half proved to be equally as scintillating as the first, with both teams determined to prove that they had the edge. With pressure mounting and time ticking away Diss gave away a try on their own line with the Ipswich number six going over while being held by two Diss players. With Michael Howard and Matt Farthing powering through the Ipswich defence and putting in some good defensive work it wasn't long before Diss scored. Kevin Cayley who had been testing his opposite number all game, finally showed his experience by breaking through, the Ipswich defence producing a well balanced grub kick towards the Ipswich line, Adam Williamson was able to pick up and go over for a deserved Diss try. Diss were more determined to hold on to this lead and did so with a few nervous moments at the end of the game, proving that good honest Norfolk grit would overcome Afrikaans power. The away supported gave the team a well deserved round of applause at the end of evenly balanced game.