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Diss Rugby Club's Deaglan Hall makes his 100th senior appearance




It had been a long time coming, but Deaglan Hall has now made 100 appearances for Diss.

Hall first played for Blues’ minis side before moving on to join North Walsham at a higher level.

However, he headed back to Mackenders in 2008, only for a cruciate ligament injury suffered six years ago to stop him in his tracks.

Rugby action from Diss v Norwich - Deaglan Hall..Mark Bullimore Photography 2019. (31948896)
Rugby action from Diss v Norwich - Deaglan Hall..Mark Bullimore Photography 2019. (31948896)

At that point Hall decided to walk away from the sport to concentrate on work commitments, but he returned at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.

His body has held up well to the physicality of sport, and he brought up his three figures during the high-scoring 32-29 home win at the expense of visiting Romford & Gidea Park.

“I started up a business around when I suffered the cruciate injury and I just did not have a lot of time to spare. Life just took over,” said the 31-year-old.

Rugby action from Diss v Norwich - Deaglan Hall..Mark Bullimore Photography 2019. (31887618)
Rugby action from Diss v Norwich - Deaglan Hall..Mark Bullimore Photography 2019. (31887618)

“It was a busy time, but I also did not want to have to retire completely because of injury. I wanted to go out on my terms.

“It is great to have made 100 appearances. As a player, you put a lot into a club, what with training twice a week, so it is nice to get something back.

“Diss is a great club – one that I have a lot of time for. It is great to have a beer with some of the old boys after games – these are people that I used to see play when I was growing up.

“The first few games back, I felt a bit of pain after it, but you have to expect it.

“When you have so long out of a sport like rugby, it is mentally tough and you really have to trust your body.

“Once you get back regularly your body gets use to the contact.”

On the same day as Hall, John Laurie also made his 100th outing in Diss colours.

Hall added: “I played with John when he first joined the club and it has been great to have him as a team-mate.

“It is really good for him to have reached 100 appearances and it is just reward for his past efforts.”

With last Saturday’s trip to South Woodham Ferrers postponed, it remains to be seen when both Hall and Laurie will be able to make their 101st appearances for the club.

Reacting to the government’s advice on the coronavirus pandemic earlier this week, the RFU have suspended all rugby-related activity – including training – until at least Tuesday, April 14.



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