Diss 19 FULLERIANS 1st XV 39

London 1 North

Fullerians secured their first win of the season with an impressive display away to Diss. Fullers started very well and pushed the ball wide and made indentations into the Diss defence. They were awarded with a penalty for their efforts which went wide but pinned their hosts in the 22. Another penalty followed shortly for offside and full back Dan Evans duly stepped up and converted.

Fullers continued their dominance and worked the ball well going through the phases which Diss could not deal with. Man of the match Owen Scully used his power to crash over in the corner. On song Evans was on hand to convert the extra points.

However, with Diss on the racks Fullers let them off the hook by not dealing with the restart. Diss capitalised with a penalty which they kicked for the corner. They drove the line out for a deserved try which was converted.

They went in front with a well worked try as the Fullers defence got disorganised though the phases for the Diss right winger to score.

Fullers got back in the game with another Evans penalty as the Fullers scrum continued to dominate. Again, Fullers allowed their hosts back in the game as they laid of the line press and missed the odd tackle.

In the second half with the score at 12-13 Fullers upped the intensity and worked the ball well only for them to force the off load and hence lose the ball in contact. In fact, Diss turned the ball over and ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts to take a 19-13 lead.

This young Fuller side could have capitulated but they went through the phases and went up field for second row Mike Kerr to crash over for his first try of the season. Evans converted to take a narrow 19-20 lead.

Fullers now with the bit between their teeth started to build some momentum. The scrum earned a penalty as Diss couldn’t cope with the pressure and a yellow card for the home side followed. Fullers now on the 5 metre line went for the scrum and drove their hosts over the line where No8 George Harvey controlling the ball to score. Evans converted.

Diss came back into the game where their second row ran half the length of the field only for a try saving tackle by centre Cameron Laurenson forcing the knock on.
Fullerians not disturbed went back up into the Diss 22 with some great movement and phase play for scrum half Ben Matchett to sneak in and score as Diss started to fall off the tackles. Evans converted.
Fullers were not finished as Diss started to tire and lose their shape. Good strong running by the Fullers back line with Liam Mann and Andrew Alexander linking well. Alexander was just short of the line but the ball was shipped out to George Harvey who crashed over for his second of the match and round off a great day for Fullers.

“We deserved to win this match and played some very good high intensity rugby. We forced the offload when we didn’t need to and could have scored more. We have some big games coming up between now and the end of December so we will build again for our home game against Sudbury next Saturday.” commented Fullerians head coach Rich Hoskins.

Team. Barson, Williams, MacGregor-Smith (MacDougall 60), Purnell, Kerr, Scully, Longbottom (D. Toon 55), Harvey, Matchett, M. Toon, Mann, Dollard, Laurenson (Williams 50), Evans

Man of the Match: Owen Scully