Diss suffered a complete reality check at the weekend against a very well organised and determined Old Priorians side.

They went into the game in good heart after an emphatic win at Letchworth Garden City the previous Saturday but were unable to follow it up on home soil against a much better side.

Diss had to defend throughout the first quarter, allowing the visitors to set the pattern of play and dominate territory.

A yellow card for Matt Richards after five minutes meant that Diss were pressured extensively across the whole field.

Holding out through stoic defence allowed the home side to attack for the first time on 23 minutes through a typical charge by Chris Beaird down the touchline.

Diss then attacked close to the Priorians' line and should have come away with points.

The home side were duly punished following a loss of possession at their own lineout, Sean Wright capitalising on a slippery ball to squeeze over in the far corner to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead.

With the weather conditions deteriorating, Old Priorians adapted extremely well in defence to a Diss attacking game that reflected a strategy of close support runs from Stephen Hipwell and John Laurie.

Rowan Halsall, the Priorians open side, dominated the breakdown and following a passage of continuity scored the visitors' second try.

Compared to last week Diss looked jaded and lacklustre, especially when in possession, although they did pull the score back to 12-5 when George Luckett went over after a blindside run.

A home revival seemed to be gathering pace when, for some inexplicable reason, the Diss eight were not allowed to dominate the scrummage.

Priorians then capitalised, scoring two further well-constructed tries through Joe Wellings and Aristade Goualin.

It was disappointing day for the home side but a thoroughly deserved victory for the visitors.

Letchworth followed up their home defeat against Diss by conceding 134 points at leaders Brentwood.