Nick Greenhall reflects on Diss Rugby Club's 34-31 defeat to rivals Holt in first game of Counties 1 Eastern Counties season

Nick Greenhall says a high penalty count proved costly for Diss Rugby Club in their 34-31 defeat to rivals Holt on Saturday.

Diss finally got their Counties 1 Eastern Counties campaign under way at the weekend, as they went up against newly-promoted Holt at Mackenders.

Greenhall’s charges staged two comebacks during the second half, as they overturned a 17-5 half-time deficit to level at 17-17, before battling back from 27-17 behind to lead 31-27.

But a late converted try from Ben Brooke helped edge the visitors back in front at 34-31, and secured Holt their first league victory over Diss in six years.

“I was really happy to get our first game under our belts,” said Diss head coach Greenhall, whose side’s opening two fixtures against Ely and Ipswich YM had both been postponed.

“In the first half we were quite aggressive. We weren’t as accurate as we wanted to be and we were 17-5 down at half-time.

“We got back into it and took the lead, but we conceded 25 penalties. You just don’t win many games when you give away that many penalties.

“I think it was just the fact it was our first game and the boys were so excited to get out there.

“The red mist was overriding perhaps, but we’ve just got to be confident in what we can do.

“We had a lovely crowd there on Saturday all around the pitch. The clubhouse was full and it was a nice experience for our five new players in the team.”

Diss handed debuts to Lee Thompson, Greg Short, Alex Hutchinson, Jon Trese and Luke Miller for their opening game of the 2022/23 season against Holt.

It was a first league meeting between the two Norfolk sides in almost three years, with Holt having won London 3 Eastern Counties last season to earn promotion to the newly-named Counties 1 Eastern Counties.

Ryan Gardiner (two) and Matt Richards were among the try scorers for Diss, who opened the scoring with an unconverted try after nine minutes.

But the penalty count started to creep up for the home side and Holt took full advantage, with Aaron Tagg, Robbie Freeman and Mel Gilmour all crossing the line during the first half.

Diss started the second half with 13 players, as two players were still off the pitch on yellow cards, but despite the numerical disadvantage some well-drilled phases helped them score two tries to level at 17-17.

Tries from Gilmour and Brooke saw Holt regain the advantage at 27-17, but again the home side fought back.

A converted try took them to within three points of their opponents, before a penalty on Holt’s 10m line saw Diss outsmart the visiting defence to score again and take the lead at 31-27.

Holt won two penalties in quick succession from the restart and from the second penalty took a scrum, which found its way to Brooke to go over for his second try.

Brooke then converted the try to extend Holt’s narrow lead to 34-31, as Diss finished an entertaining first game of the season with a defeat to their rivals.

Diss travel to early league leaders Saffron Walden tomorrow (3pm).

Diss II opened their Eastern Counties Division One North fixtures on Saturday with a 22-17 defeat at Beccles. Tomorrow, the seconds host Crusaders, while Diss III entertain Thetford (both 3pm).