Holt v Diss Match Report (27.11.11)

A clear bright but windy day greeted our visitors from Diss, A club we have a good rapport with and a team who always give us a good game.

It does what it says on the tin.

The game started very competitively with Diss looking to push Holt back in to their 22. Then came a break from Matti from the midfield and he looked like he was through to the line but the Diss fullback, Jordan, chased him all the way and managed to tackle him just short, however, excellent support from Jamie meant he could take the ball on and then off-load to Ally who scored in the corner. No conversion. It wasn't long before Holt were on the offensive again, some great play by all the team to build the platforms for others to break through, this time a couple of secured rucks released Matti for another break and this time he wasn't going to be caught. No conversion again, the gusting wind really proving difficult.

Scrum time, fun time.

Diss started to come back into the game, putting more and more pressure on the Holt defence, they were winning more scrums and spreading the ball wide, looking to penetrate through the Holt defensive line. There were many players putting in the tackles and stopping the visitors advancing, in particular Alex Storey and Jack who continued to tackle all morning. It was from this great defence that Holt managed to spring another attack, this time Simmo breaking free and scoring to give Holt a 15:0 lead at half time.

Hands up who wants it?

As per usual Holt looked to ring the changes at half-time, giving those on the sides their chance to shine. These changes didn't stop Holt taking the game to Diss and straight from the off Holt were looking to attack. Ollie Boldero, produced one of his 'Crazy Horse' runs bursting through the middle, he was eventually brought down but with Alex on his shoulder along with Dean and Simmo the ball was recycled and Simmo darted through to score under the posts. The conversion was taken.

Diss, who had threatened throughout then got what they deserved and scored after by a crafty bit of football up the wing, touching the ball down first. It wasn't long before Diss scored their second of the game, after a period where they were clearly in the ascendency pushing Holt back to their try line. A 5metre scrum was won by Diss, their No.8 picked and went but was held up by a watchful Jack, flanking on the blind for Holt. However the subsequent ruck gave Diss a platform to launch another attack, this time a diving player scoring in the corner. Neither of the Diss tries were converted and the scores were Holt 22: Diss10.

A right kerfuffle.

Holt seemed to realise that Diss were coming back into the game and knuckled down again. A great scrum gave Theo the chance to pick and go, with Jack supporting and taking the ball on, the subsequent ruck gave Sam the chance to put the ball wide and Matti burst through to get his second of the game. George B converted. Holt then managed to give away far too many penalties, gifting Diss the opportunity to attack, which they did and scoring from one such opportunity in the corner, the tricky conversion was missed. Scores Holt 29 : Diss 15.

Time for tee?

As the Holt players gathered under the posts to receive the Diss conversion the coaches asked for a last effort to finish the game on a high and that is exactly what Holt did. Having taken the re-start and giving the ball a good chase the ball ended up with Simmo, he gave a quick off-load to Theo, who drove through from just inside the Diss 22 to score under the posts. The conversion added and the final score was Holt 36: Diss 15. A hard-earned victory against a very good side but one that can be put down to hard work, support play and endeavour. Well done everybody.

Spectators enjoying the Holt weather.

Thank you to all the helpers in sorting the oranges, serving up the lunch and supporting from the side. A special thank you to Kate for taking the pics today and for volunteering to wash the shirts. More volunteers will be found next time. Good also to see Shed hobbling around, possibly faster on his crutches than without. Maybe we can ask for dispensation for him to play with crutches when he returns. Hopefully the other Holt u14 casualty, Jenks, will be well enough to come up in the next few weeks, it will be good to hear him chirping from the sidelines. We wish both Shed and Jenks a speedy recovery.

Holt boys take to the pitch for Norfolk

Last week was a very memorable week for several Holt u14 players. One in particular.

All eight players who had been selected to train with Norfolk deservedly got their call-up and donned the shirt to represent their county against Suffolk at Diss RFC. Well done to them all, there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone in the current Holt squad to strut their stuff in a Norfolk shirt.

Holt u14 players selected to play against Suffolk.

Norfolk A and B team to play Suffolk A and B

One Holt player in particular will remember this day for a long time. Having already played for Norfolk against the Leicester Tigers EPDG team, this was his second outing for his county. Harry Jenkins, who has been a member of Holt since we all started, way back in the days of tag and a player who has always given his all, suffered a very unlucky accident, breaking his arm, in trying to stop a try. A real blow for Harry, who will most certainly be out of action for the rest of the season and will be sorely missed by the rest of his team mates. Speedy recovery from us all Jenks.

Jenks still smiling

Moral support

 For a match report from both the A and B games, please click on here and download the relevant report: http://norfolkrfu.pitchero.com/county-teams/under-14s/norfolk-u14s-a--b-v-suffolk-20th-nov-at-diss-701/

North Walsham v Holt 13.11.11

This fixture is always very competitive and an opportunity to test ourselves to see where we are and where we need to improve. Everyone arrived in plenty of time and we had plenty of time to warm-up in preparation for the match, although there seemed to be a lack of urgency in all departments. Need to wake-up boys.

After a good start a certain pattern emerged, we would take the ball into contact and although the player going into contact went to ground the opposition managed to ruck over, far too easily. Definitely something to work on. A lot. Walsham scored their first, driving over. Maybe this was the wake-up call that was needed and it seemed to spur the Holt boys on, much more attacking and indeed Holt had Walsham pinned back on the their 5metre line. Unfortunately Holt didn't come away with any points despite such dominance.

After several phases Walsham were knocking at the Holt door and after a very brave tackle from Alexander stopping a driving forward, after Walsham had been awarded a penalty from 5metres out, the 2nd phase saw the home team edging closer and by the 3rd they were over. After this phase of play it all got a bit messy with a few fumbles and handling errors. Holt were getting more and more sucked in on what is quite a wide pitch and an overlap gave Walsham their 3rd try. Their 4th coming straight from the kick-off, it was, to be fair a great line taken at speed which broke the Holt defensive line.

At half time everybody who hadn't played came on, losing or not everybody who turns up to play rugby gets playing time and we will continue to do this. Holt started this half much better, showing more commitment and determination. Holt were attacking the Walsham line and a kick away to safety came to Miles who took it really well and went straight back into the fray, really good play. The dominance eventually paid off with Theo driving over after picking from the back of a ruck over to get the visitor's first of the match.

The play seemed very even in this half and there were chances for both sides. Jerry made several breaks, emerging from a strong Holt maul to set up the next move that gave Matti plenty of work to do but he showed his strength by breaking through from outside the Walsham 22 to go over and score.

As the tide was beginning to turn Walsham made a few changes and Holt introduced new boy Josh to the fray. Good to see him getting straight on the pitch and we will continue to look to develop the new recruits we have been so fortunate to have this season.

Walsham added two soft tries at the end of the game to give the scoreboard an impressive balance but Final score North Walsham 40 : Holt 12

Holt should have started better, rucked better and supported more. Lots to be positive about too, scrums were good, even after changing players, line-outs were competitive and handling looked good. Nobody dropped their heads and everybody got plenty of rugby.

Turd of the week was given to Alastair. By his Mum. Nuff said.

RACE NIGHT 2nd December

The next stage of our fundraising effort is fast approaching.
It's time to saddle up and join in the fun and games at a Race night, to be held at the rugby club.

Details are below and on the poster.

Race Meeting: Friday 2nd December
Racecourse: Holt RFC Clubhouse
Starters Orders: 7.00 p.m.
Royal Enclosure Tickets: £5.00
Tickets per person and includes nose bag.


Tickets can be bought from the following people:
Rob Hughes (01362 688257  rob.hughes@brown-co.com)
Carl Durban (01263 587895  carl.chris@virgin.net)
Mel Robson (01263 822040  r.robson@sky.com)
Liz Mackenzie (01263 577722  liz@mackenziehotels.com)
Tommy Ross (01328 820208  arosss@btinternet.com)

See you there. Bring your luck. Have fun.