Diss secured a place in the final of the Woodfordes Norfolk Senior Cup by the narrowest of margins in a game made difficult for both sides by the constant rain and slippery conditions.
It was clear from their performance that Holt were determined to make amends for their comprehensive defeat by the visitors in their league match two weeks ago.
The trio of Riley brothers, James, Hal and Ed, each scored opportunist tries for Holt – but this was not enough to counter the power of the Diss pack which gave the visitors the edge.
Although Diss started strongly it was Holt who were first on the scoreboard with a kick ahead by scrum-half and captain Bruce van Poortvliet, which was followed up by Holt's left winger James Riley. He touched down near the posts to make it easy for Gareth Mears to convert and give Holt seven points.
The remainder of the first half see-sawed between the two sides until Diss' scrum-half Paul LeLeivre broke through the Holt defence for an unconverted try which reduced their deficit to 7-5.
The score remained unchanged well into the second half until Hal Riley sliced through the Diss defence to touch down for a try converted by Mears.
As a result, Diss made a few team and tactical changes, increasing the intensity of their game.
Their three-quarters enjoyed a good supply of ball which enabled them to spread it wide in a move involving LeLeivre, Will Scott and Sean McClure which ended with Josh Ludkin skipping over the line for an unconverted try. making the score 14-10.
Although Diss then suffered a yellow card and were reduced to 14 men they managed to keep the Holt defence under pressure and were rewarded when Charlie Crotty touched down for a try which was not converted, to give Diss a one-point lead.
It was then Holt's turn to be reduced to 14 men following a yellow card and Diss took advantage to exert pressure on the Holt line, securing a penalty try as a result. The try was converted, making the score 14-22.
Ed Riley then came on as a substitute for Holt and made an immediate impact when he cut through the Diss defence at an oblique angle for a try converted by Mears. This was the last score of the game, leaving Holt one point adrift at the final whistle.
The other semi-final between North Walsham and Norwich has been rearranged for Saturday, April 30 after Norwich were unable to raise a side at the weekend.
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