Haverhill & District 3, Dereham 10DEREHAM fielded a squad with a mixture of youth and experience, expected an easier ride but showed the composure to extend their winning run to eight matches.

Haverhill & District 3, Dereham 10

DEREHAM fielded a squad with a mixture of youth and experience, expected an easier ride but showed the composure to extend their winning run to eight matches.”

Despite Haverhill's lower league position they were fired up and caused trouble for the Dereham pack around the breakdown and in the scrums.

The game started at a ferocious pace and Haverhill took the first points through a penalty for offside.

The game turned into a midfield battle with big hits from Chester and Edwards. Stu Lester made a promising break on the wing only to be denied by a desperate covering tackle.

Dereham camped in the Haverhill 22. Rolfe made several sniping runs but was unable to break the defence. Driving mauls from the Dereham forwards put Haverhill under pressure and the home team's tempers flared, leading to two Haverhill players being sent to the sin bin.

Dereham started the second half well and an early penalty was quickly spun out wide for Rolfe on the wing to score in the corner.

Haverhill continued to threaten but the Dereham defence held tight. Brook disrupted the Haverhill line-out, gaining precious ground.

Haverhill stopped contesting the line-out and were content to simply stop Dereham's driving mauls. From a good territorial position Bascala ran an excellent angle off Jason Pilbrow and carved a gap in the Haverhill defence to dive over the line for a crucial try.

Head and Canning both stepped in with big tackles to preserve the lead.

Dereham first XV have a week off, but the second XV will be taking on Broadland II at Moorgate.

After their defeat in the cup at Norwich, the Barbarians were looking to record a second victory against Diss.

Good pressure from Jacob at scrum half saw a kick sliced and Spencer at No 8 pounced on the loose ball to score. Diss replied with a score in the corner. Eventually the visitors conceded a penalty which Evans calmly slotted over.

The second half started well with big hits by both teams. Some strong runs from Warren and Josh gained the Barbarians some good ground however they were unable to capitalise. A turnover in the middle of the park enabled Diss to counter and score their second try.

A line-out won by Diss five meters from the Barbarian try line was tapped back and Diss No 4 stormed through the line to latch onto the loose ball and score Diss' third try.

Captain Josh said: “We didn't play to our potential. We'll learn from the match then get back to our game plan of open exciting rugby.”

Next the Barbarians face Lakenham and Hewitt at home. All support is welcome.