I know we all like a lay-in on a Sunday but two weeks off is no way to prepare for a Norfolk Cup game. Fortunately the pitches have survived the freeze and after a good long warm-up Holt and Wymondham were ready for battle to commence. A massive thank you to all the players who didn't get on. Unfortunately there are Norfolk Cup rules that we have to abide by and we have to name a team plus limited replacements. However, Holt u14s are an ever growing squad, with great strength in depth and we can only improve by continuing to train. Remember in rugby, we win together, we lose together. So keep up the good work, keep enjoying your rugby and you know we will always look to get everybody on the pitch for a normal fixture.
Holt and Wymondham had not faced each other for over a season, so it was going to be interesting to see how they matched up in this Quarter Final of the Norfolk Cup. Holt took the game by the scruff of the neck and after forcing a penalty, which Simmo took quickly, releasing Matti and Callum, with Callum scoring the first of his hat-trick in the corner.
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It wasn't long before Holt added a second try after a disrupted line-out gave possession to the home team who quickly fed the ball out to the backs with Matti breaking the tackles of the Wymondham centres and scoring under the posts. Ally converted to make it Holt 12 : Wymondham 0.
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Wymondham were looking slightly shell-shocked and there was much remonstrating of each other by the players as they prepared to take the game back to Holt. From the re-start it was crucial to compete for the ball and keep Wymondham at bay. Ben & Jerry (insert your own flavour here) working really well together to retain the ball and with the rest of the forwards managing to give a good solid platform to the backs to 'do their stuff'. It wasn't long before Holt's third try was added, this time by Alex Storey, playing at fullback and joining in to a move after Simmo neat cut inside. No conversion and the scores were Holt 17 : Wymondham 0.
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Wymondham then turned up the pressure and were getting closer and closer to the Holt line and after several attempts, a disallowed try, a penalty and some absolutely brilliant defence by Holt, pushing Wymondham back and back, the visitors got their reward for their hard work and drove over to score. The half was ending and as Wymondham were looking to end the half in the ascendency, a quick witted Callum intercepted a stray pass and was away, showing great pace and he was never going to get caught. Another missed conversion, the wind proving difficult for both sides and the half ended. Holt 22 : Wymondham 5.
It was decided to keep the same players for the start of the second half and look to bring on substitutes throughout the rest of the game. However, it wasn't long before Jack W was suffering from a bang on the lower back and Simmo was limping. Then came the injury to Ally, which meant almost a ten minute disruption while he was dealt with, as he was clearly in some pain and a big thank you to Alasdair Duthie from Wymondham for looking after Ally and indeed Theo later on in the game.
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Whether it was the delay, the disruption to the team or the fact that Wymondham turned their game around and played the way they know best, using their big strong forwards to work up the pitch metre by metre. As much as Holt looked to counter-ruck and guard the playing picking and going from the base of the ruck Wymondham crept closer and closer to the Holt line. A penalty gave them the opportunity to run at Holt, who instead of attacking in defence waited for the runner to come to them. We obviously momentarily forgot our call of last year. ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK. Wymondham converted their try and it wasn't long before they scored again, this one not being converted but it was another forward led move and made the scores dangerously close at Holt 22 : Wymondham 17.
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Wymondham were really starting to not only look dangerous but also close the gap on Holt's healthy half-time score. It was time for Holt to soak up more of the Wymondham pressure and release the pace of the backs. Matti did manage to get away with very strong run down the left wing, only to be put into touch. It did, however put Holt in the visitor's twentytwo and from the resulting line-out and subsequent scrum Sam C got the ball out to Callum who finished his hat-trick off in style. Another tricky conversion was missed and the scores were Holt 27 : Wymondham 17. Then began the last few minutes of the game, minutes which seemed to tick by very slowly, even more so after Wymondham
added a fourth try to make it just a five point difference again. Eventually the final whistle blew and it was handshakes all round. A good game, played in the right spirit and one of contrasting styles with both teams playing to their strengths. Final score Holt 27 : Wymondham 22.
Man of the match: Alexander Ghanbouri. Really put his opposite number under great pressure in the scrum and in the loose wasn't going to let anyone past him. Well done.
Turd of the week: A harsh one to decide on, as everyone had played so well. Then Dean made some admiring looks and comments at my pint, following the game. 'Though shalt not covert your neighbour's beer'. The award of the actual turd is also accompanied by the shirts for washing ready for the next game. And, as Dean left them behind in the clubhouse he will be receiving the turd next game. Whatever happens.
