Diss Rugby Club pick up their first London 1 North victory of the season at expense of Luton

After 14 failed attempts, Diss Rugby Club’s season finally took off on Saturday as they recorded their first win of the 2018/19 London 1 North campaign.

The Blues had lost every single one of their games up until Luton’s visit at the weekend – form that had left them rooted to the foot of the table and facing up to the prospect of relegation.

However, the 40-19 triumph over the visitors from Hertfordshire has given Dave Smith’s men just a glimmer of hope that they can preserve their status, with 10 points now separating them from safety.

Diss drew first blood with a close-quarter drive – led by the ever present John Laurie – that eventually saw Chris Beaird crash over close to the posts, with the same player going on to convert his own try.

However, Luton responded immediately by scoring two tries in quick succession. The first came following sharp handling that sent Tyler Pickford over in the corner and a second constructed from a driving maul that saw number eight Callum Strachan double the visitors’ lead.

But, whereas on previous occasions this season Diss would have folded at this point, this time they recovered impressively as Laurie and Beaird started to inspire those around them.

It was Laurie that sent Michael Jones away to level up the scoreboard, before he scored a try of his own to put Diss in the ascendancy – both tries being converted by Beaird to give the home team plenty of confidence heading into the half-time break.

Another try – on this occasion from Beaird – further stretched the hosts’ lead and had the Mackenders faithful starting to believe a first win of the season was on its way.

Luton did their best to dampen the mood with their third try to reduce the advantage to nine points, but Diss were not to be denied this time and Freddie Precious all but ended any doubt regarding the outcome, scampering clear to dot down.

And it was the same player that rounded off proceedings in style, running clear from the halfway line to finish off a well-worked team try, taking Diss up to the 40-point mark in the process.

Diss will now aim to build upon that victory when they head to eighth-placed Eton Manor tomorrow (2pm).

The New Wilderness side had been on a five-game losing streak prior to their 16-8 win at Fullerians on Saturday. Eton Manor triumphed in the reverse fixture at Mackenders by 42-13.