Diss slide to heavy defeat at promotion-chasing Brentwood
Diss attempt to take the game to high-flying Brentwood the previous Saturday. Picture: John Grist - Credit: Archant
Diss found arguably the best side in the league too hot to handle in a game that reflected the difference between a side seeking promotion and a side trying to establish a foothold at a very competitive level.
Competing on an even keel in the first quarter, Diss took an early lead through a Barnaby Chenery penalty, initially indicating that recent form against the leading sides in the league would continue into the New Year.
However, Brentwood immediately responded by increasing the tempo and mixing a clever kicking game with an ability to off-load the ball to support players who executed outstanding lines of running that placed Diss on the back foot all afternoon.
The second quarter of the game was totally dominated by the home side who scored five unanswered tries with a brand of rugby that very few sides in this league could have lived with.
Diss defended bravely with Connor McBride to the fore although an increasingly confident Brentwood side capitalised on the fact that the visitors suffered two yellow cards either side of half-time.
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Diss enjoyed a period of continuity and possession throughout the third quarter of the game and should have come away with points from their endeavours.
Stephen Hipwell, John Bergin and Jon Trede all drove at the heart of the home side's defence for long periods but two interceptions allowed the siege to be thwarted.
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And as the game approached its conclusion, Diss not surprisingly began to fall off too many tackles, allowing Brentwood to score three tries in the last five minutes to move well past the half century mark.
Diss were competitive throughout but had to accept that on the day they had been beaten by a much better and well drilled side. It completed an emphatic double for the Essex team who had won the reverse fixture 50-14 at Mackenders back in September.
Lessons will have been learnt and Diss will be looking to respond in a positive fashion in the weeks to come.
There's a perfect opportunity to bounce back next Saturday with a home game against Old Haberdashers who stand just one point and one place above them.
