Ipswich RFC U13's faced Diss at Mackenders on a sunny Sunday morning. The grass had been left quite long compared to other pitches the bees had experienced recently and the ground was noticeably soft underfoot following the recent storms and floods. At first sight, Diss appeared to be a typical team of big Norfolk farming lads, however after a brief interrogation of the opposition coaches it transpired that they were a pretty useful side who often competed fairly evenly with the Bees recent vanquishers, West Norfolk. Despite the early fears however this was not going to be re-run.
Ipswich welcomed back from injury Alex Osborne and George Oswald who came straight into the starting line-up. The bees kicked-off through captain Rua Place and quickly applied pressure on the Norfolk team, looking much stronger than previous games. The pressure couldn’t be made to tell and a gap in the defensive line allowed Diss through on three minutes to open the scoring. Ipswich however were not to be denied and retaliated on six with a lovely passing move across the backs which finished with a try from Theo Perkins. On eight minutes Ipswich took the lead again through some fine passing from Furgus Wilson, the ball eventually found George Oswald who scored for Ipswich. Ipswich were not having it all their own way however and Diss scored again to level the game after a long spell of pressure. The Diss team's superior weight was showing in the scrum which the were also being allowed a great deal of leeway by the referee.
On fifteen Ipswich took the lead again through Theo Perkins who scored the try of the day finishing a fine team move which saw the ball pass swiftly across the backs to open up an overload on the right hand side. Perkins was unlucky to get a knee in the head as he scored but bravely carried on with no ill-effects. Diss’s superior weight paid off again towards the end of the half as they equalised right on half time. Ipswich had played probably their best half of rugby this season, with excellent tackling, passing and running across the team.
The second half could not live up to the standards of the first, which was perhaps to be expected.
Ipswich did start as they’d left off with George Osborne scoring his second try of the day after a trademark mazy run following another passage of play. The conditions however soon caught up with the boys as the long grass sapped their energy and Diss ran three more unanswered tries to level the score and in the last five minutes moved two ahead, the conditions definitely suiting the more agricultural team as time wore on.
Overall a very good game against strong opposition. Despite going a try down early on and eventually losing at no point did the Ipswich heads drop. Some of the rugby played particularly in the first half was very good. Continued work on simple passing, tackling and rucking will only see the boys get better, and we must learn to be less polite with the ball, but overall a big improvement.
Thanks to all parents and carers for their continued positive vocal support.

MOTM (Chosen by Diss) Alex Hodgson