Diss surrender early lead during clash with London 1 North leaders Rochford Hundred
London 1 North leaders Rochford Hundred were always likely to prove to be formidable opposition for Diss, and so it was on Saturday.
Basement dwellers Diss actually scored the game’s first try in the fourth minute, but after that it was largely one-way traffic at Mackenders as the table-toppers racked up 60 unanswered points.
Rochford soon levelled up the scoreline after falling behind when scrum half Steve Jay ran in an individual try.
That was the signal for his team-mates to join in and it was captain Harry Hudson who first took up the invitation, driving through the Diss rearguard to dot down with 17 minutes on the clock.
Diss initially responded well to falling behind but despite applying some pressure the visiting defence stood firm.
Second row Jamie Douglas scored Rochford’s third try, but once again fly-half Cameron Greenhall was off target with the conversion.
However, after three failed attempts Greenhall found the target after full-back Mark Billings had jinked through for the bonus-point try.
One final try was scored before the break which came courtesy of Chris Dudman with Greenhall again getting the extras with his boot for an interval scoreline of 29-5.
Diss started the second half in positive fashion but as was the case during the opening 40 minutes, once Rochford stepped things up they took control.
Billings soon went over for his second try – converted by Greenhall – before Stuart Whatling got in on the act.
Further quickfire tries from Chris Shields and Sam Fombo stretched Rochford’s lead to 48-5, with Billings going on to complete his hat-trick.
The away side’s 10th and final try was scored by Hudson to compound a difficult afternoon for the hosting Blues.
Diss, who have just one win to their name all season, remain rooted to the foot of the table and are 15 points adrift of safety with nine matches left to play.
The next of those will see Dave Smith’s men head to fourth-placed Old Haberdashers tomorrow (2pm). The reverse fixture – played in early October – saw the visitors run out 34-17 victors at Mackenders.
