West Vs Diss 2

West Norfolk (5) Vs Diss (10)

West entertained Diss on Saturday in a close fought encounter that produced some good rugby, despite the weather conditions.

Both teams were taking the opportunity of a friendly match to experiment somewhat by blooding several new players, as well as trying out a few positional combinations.

With West losing the toss and having the prospect of facing driving wind and rain in the first half, the home side were well aware that a solid start was essential.

Unfortunately, a strong Diss pack were able to pin the hosts back in their own half and scored within the first moments of the game as they spun the ball out wide following some impressive attacking rucks, giving the visitors an early 5-0 lead.

With scrums just about even, West attempted to hit back with a series of well executed lineout catch and drives from Edris and Marchant as they sought to gain some territory advantage. However, Diss were managing to keep West from breaking free thanks to a combination of solid tackling and some West knock-ons just as they started looking dangerous.

Diss hit back, using the wind to keep West pinned back in their own 22. The visitors came close to scoring from a number of powerful 5 metre scrums, but West just managed to hold them at bay. The visitors were awarded a penalty at the break down, but were unable to convert to extend their narrow lead.

As the half progressed West began to exert some pressure of their own, thanks to some powerful running from the front row of Bridges, Savage and Skinner. This enabled young fly half Moore to cut the back line loose and allow the speedy trio of Smith, McNaught and Steele some space to mount a number of attacking strikes.

Wests full back and captain Biggs was proving dominant under the high ball and, ably supported by some strong running from Greenwood, set up a series of counter attacking opportunities from deep.

However, just as West were starting to look like they may cross the line, Diss broke free and touched down in the left corner to take a 10-0 lead into the second half.

Having made a couple of personnel changes and now with the elements in their favour, West were determined to take full advantage.

Unfortunately, the home side were compelled into further changes shortly after the break as scrum half AJ Edwards was replaced by Evans due to a niggling injury.

With Diss giving a number of penalties away at the break downs, West were able to push the visitors back within their own half thanks to some thunderous kicks to touch by Evans. From these, West were able to once again pick and drive at the lineouts. Both Harris and Skinner came close to burrowing over from an ensuing ruck, but were stopped just short. Thankfully, Bridges was on hand to receive the ball and power his way through to close the gap at 10-5 to Diss.

West continued to press forward from the restart, but the visitors defence was holding tight as they managed to turn over some ball in the tackle areas. Further West reinforcements were issued in the guise of forwards Brodie and Chilvers, who were working effectively in the loose with the likes of Thurston and Stephenson.

At this point West almost broke through on a few occasions, with a sublime run from Chilvers down the left touch line being a sight to behold as he burst through several tackles, only to be stopped inches short of the line.

As the final quarter began to close out, West did their best to split open the visitors defence, but some precise kicking from Diss kept West at bay as they were forced to mount attacks from within their own half. Thus, the final whistle sounded with West conceding a 10-5 loss.

Despite the end result, West should take many positives from this display and take much heart from the newly blooded players, all of whom are progressing well within the squad.

This Saturday finds West hosting Broadland in their latest league match.

Tuilip Man of the Match: Paul Bridges