BASILDON kicked off the new London Two North East season with a narrow 15-14 win against Diss.

Basildon’s squad contained seven new signings but they combined well to edge out a Diss side who were playing in London One North last term.

Diss started strongly but were unable to make unable to make a breakthrough.

And it was Basildon who went in front in the 25th minute with a penalty from new fly half Sam Ridley.

However, five minutes later Diss hit backwith a converted try to lead 7-3.

The visitors maintained that advantage until 10 minutes in to the second half when Basildon’s scrum half and captain Jamie White took a quick tap penalty and fed replacement Elliot Keefe.

He then made good ground before finding winger Jon Bonnett who cut in from his wing on a great line that took him over for a try which put Basildon 8-7 in front.

Better was to come for the hosts when Ben White broke again and second row Ryan Creasey was halted on the line.

Diss were under pressure now and a floated pass in their own 22 was picked off by Bonnet who gleefully touched down under the posts.

Ridley converted and at 15-7 the Basildon faithful dared to hope.

However, Diss had other ideas and with a full 20 minutes to go scored a forward based try well converted from out wide.

The visitors were now just a single point behind Basildon but their hosts were rarely threatened late on and kept their slender lead.

Basildon: Burke, Karby, Wheatley, Bunce, Creasey, Chandler, Field, Crowhurst, J White, Ridley, Florez, Carr, B White, Bonnett, Randall. Replacements: Heywood, Keefe & Johnson.