Diss Rugby Club captain John Bergin hopeful momentum can be built with win against South Woodham Ferrers
John Bergin sees this weekend’s trip to South Woodham Ferrers as a chance for Diss to build some momentum heading into next week’s clash with Stowmarket, writes Alex Moss.
Diss have dropped to sixth in London 2 North East after their scheduled home clash with Romford & Gidea Park last Saturday was postponed, with the visitors unable to travel to Mackenders.
Captain Bergin, who is currently out injured, is hoping Diss can pick up the full five points when they visit South Woodham tomorrow (2.30pm), as they look to get some form going ahead of hosting fifth-placed Stowmarket seven days later.
“We definitely see this Saturday as a chance to get some good form going,” Bergin said. “Hopefully we can pick up five points on Saturday and then take that into the bigger games coming up.
“We’ve got Stowmarket at home the week after, and the boys are definitely going to be up for that one. But first we have to be focused on South Woodham this weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough day, the weather doesn’t look like it’s going to be too kind, and all the rain we’ve had it’s going to be a wet pitch.
“But we’re in a good mood, the boys are playing well. The game against Saffron Walden two weeks ago was a rearranged game, and then last weekend the game was called off, so we’re going to be a bit rusty.
“The boys are up for it and we’ll go there looking to come away with the full five points, and then take that into Stowmarket the week after.”
Bergin has been out of action since the narrow 20-19 derby defeat at home to Wymondham on January 25, after landing on his neck and suffering whiplash.
The Diss captain is unsure whether he will return to the pitch before the end of the season, with their last scheduled game away at Wanstead on April 18, but he is still keeping a close involvement from the sidelines at training and on match days.
“It happened at the Wymondham game four weeks ago,” Bergin said. “I landed on my neck from a lineout, and I could have broken my neck. It’s still quite sore.
“It’s tough watching and not being able to get out there and help the boys out, but I’m still going to all the games and the training sessions and helping out as much as I can.”
Diss head coach Nick Greenhall could hand a place in this weekend’s squad to Todd Wishart, who has spent the last year and a half out injured, but has recently started training again with the club.
Shaun Blyth (holiday) misses the trip, but aside from his absence and Bergin’s injury, Diss are expected to take a near full-strength squad to South Woodham.
Diss ran out 31-15 winners in the reverse fixture at Mackenders back in November, while South Woodham are without a win in their five fixtures so far in 2020.
