1st XV
Matches
Sat 06 Oct 2018  ·  London 1 North
Diss
17
34
Old Haberdashers' RFC
1st XV
Tries: C Michaels, I Sanderson, J Clark, A HarrisConversions: I McGhee (2)Penalties: I McGhee
Diss 1st XV vs Old Habs 1st XV

Diss 1st XV vs Old Habs 1st XV

Jonathan Whittle10 Oct 2018 - 09:00
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

OH win away in Norfolk

Old Habs and the machine took the long bus ride up to Diss on Saturday, with whispers amongst the supporters of a repeat 94 point thriller from last year on the wide Norfolk pitch. Unfortunately for the 3 of them, the weather wasn’t ideal for that running rugby. Ahead of the international break next weekend, a win here would be vital to maintain recent momentum. Late withdrawals from JDSE$H (ill) and Alvin Baxter (failed late fitness test) saw the Habs pull a couple of new faces out of bed for the clash.

Habs started the game with the wind at their backs. A series of good positional kicks, line out disruption and hard running from the centres saw Habs march into the opposition 22. The magenta got the nudge on at the scrum, which would be a prominent theme throughout the afternoon, and Habs 8 Clark picked blind, showed the Diss 6 and Habs 9, Whittle a clean pair of heels before executing a 2 on 1 to put Conor Michaels into the corner for Habs first score, another brilliantly taken finish from Michaels.

More pressure from Habs and excellent out of hand terrortorial kicking from fullback Jackson caught Diss trying to play out from their own try zone and after a rare tackle from Clark, Habs were awarded a 5 meter scrum under the posts and a subsequent penalty try after more good work from the front row. Some quick thinking from the Diss 10 as Habs wouldn’t need to convert the PT caught the away side off guard and the fielded kick off was turned over for a penalty that Diss 15 would successfully kick for their only points in the first half. A final thrust into Diss territory, a turnover from part time flanker Gatus and an excellent kick to the corner from McGhee saw Habs 2, Ian Sanderson shove the maul over for the final score of the first half. 19-3 at half time.

As the Diss team headed for the changing rooms for a quick brew, Old Habs opted to stay on the pitch for the half time entertainment. Unfortunately the penguin like huddle was unsuccessful in keeping the Habs warm in winter conditions. Diss came out by far the hotter in the second half, quickly approaching the opposition try line. 10 minutes of desperate defence followed with a yellow card for try scorer Sanderson and finally, Diss struck. Another accurate attempt from the tee saw Diss within 2 scores. A poor kick from Habs down the throat of the dangerous fullback was returned into the Habs defensive line, with an excellent ‘Sonny-Bill’ offload putting the Diss winger away to race towards the Habs line to get the home team within 2 points.

Returning from his sabbatical, more good line out work from second row Slim Marsden helped Habs regain control. Another pinpoint kick from Mcghee camped the Magenta on the opposition goal line and after a series of picked attempts, it was surprisingly Clark doing more dirty work to take the ball over and extend the lead to 7 points.

A good Habs exit saw play up towards the Diss 10 metre line where a penalty would be superbly converted by Mcghee to extend the lead to 2 scores, 27-17. More phase play allowed winger Kettle a trundle up the touch line in unusual stomping ground, having become more accustomed to Asian fields of late. A recycled ball found its way to Clark via Mcghee, who carved through the Diss midfield before executing another 2 on 1, this time with Miller on the receiving end, who had been asked to have a run out in the centres this week. Miller galloped towards the line before the Diss ground-staff poured gallons of treacle in his path. Knowing his efforts had been thwarted by the pesky treacle, he popped the ball back inside to Clark who was caught just shy of the goal line. The ball found its way to supersub Ole Gunnar Harris from the left boot of Jackson, who scored, putting the win beyond doubt, final score 34-17.

Diss weren’t the last victim of the machine that day as debutants and late call ups Ollie Dell and Josh Charles took their turn on the journey home. A story for another day. Thanks to Diss Rugby Club for hosting a great lunch with more Habs supporters and a cracking game of rugby. We look forward to affording you the same hospitality back at Croxdale Road in Jan (pitch permitting).

Match details

Match date

Sat 06 Oct 2018

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

London 1 North

League position

6
Old Haberdashers
12
Diss
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Fuller's - Fuller's Brewery
Shirt Sponsor - London Orthapaedic Clinic
Club Sponsor - D S Smith
Sponsor - Howden