Holt Rugby Club Under 16s: October 2012

Someone certainly found their Mojo. And shared it around, to everyone. This fixture has always been a well contested one, with most of these boys having played against each other since they were about six years old. However on this occasion one team was definitely more at the races than the other.


Spot the ball competition.

It could have been so different with Walsham looking the stronger from the off, making good progressive work through the middle and pulling the strings to orchestrate a well-worked try after some good rucking to gain possession. A repeat of last year was on the cards, or was it. Maybe this was what was needed to wake the Holt players up, from then on in it was pretty much all Holt. A much better re-start, with a series of breaks, from Simmo and Callum, Jack, Alex and Matti, Alexander and Jerry making some lovely hits, George taking it to the opposition with Ben, Theo, Jack and Jenks working like Trojans. Ally and Caz working together to control the flow of the game.

Catch me. If you can.

The first try for Holt was scored by Callum, running a lovely line after the ball had been worked left, then switched right before Callum cut back inside. All made possible by some solid work in the midfield. Scores even. Then came try two for Holt, another super run by Alex Storey after Ally had made a lovely break in the middle of the pitch, outfoxing the onrushing Walsham defence with a quick dummy and all of sudden Holt were through, the ball was worked out to the left after some good handling and great back line distribution the ball came out to Alex and he was away. Super example of keeping good width and putting the ball through quick hands, making sure you commit the defender.

Holt's forwards have always belied their size and beaten many a larger pack and they were really up for this game, not only were winning their own scrums but also getting significant scrums against the head. The third Holt score coming from one of these scrums won against the head, shoving Walsham backwards, the ball was quickly got out wide and Alex was in again.

Half time and the score was North Walsham 5 - Holt 15. Time for some changes and on came the cavalry, a whole new pack, apart from Alexander and Jerry who were more than happy to keep taking it to Walsham. The phrase 'They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring...' from Dad's Army comes to mind.

Let's all do the Ben and Ally wobble dance.

The second half was just as fierce as the first with the fresh legs getting stuck into the action. There were times when Walsham looked like they were going to break through but there always seemed to be a black shirt to snuffle out the danger and if it wasn't ripped, jackled or rucked back there was always the set pieces to contest. Line-outs have become a bit of a flappy hand lottery and until next year when we can lift the jumper we perhaps should keep it simpler. Rucking is still an area we do need to work on. Once the ball carrier has gone to ground, he needs support immediately, otherwise the opposition are either going to jackle the ball or ruck over. We got away with it at times on Sunday but this is definitely an area we need to improve on.

Caz, 'I don't need to see the game, I can feel the game..'.

Try number four came from Simmo, and what a typical Simmo try it was. A break down in our own 22, the ball coming out from another very strong scrum and then away he went, managing to break three or four tackles to run virtually the length of the pitch and score. Callum looked to add to the tally with a super strong run on the left wing, only to be caught by good defensive work. It was definitely the width that Holt were maintaining that was causing the home team problems, time and time again dangerous breaks were being made. And it was from one of these that Matti added Holt's fifth and final of the game, again only made possible by the forwards, securing good ball and providing a solid platform for the backs to work with.

Bish...

...bosh!

Walsham did get a try back. A complete break-away from an intercepted pass in their 22, when it looked as if Matti was going to add another to the Holt total. Walsham worked their way through the Holt defence to score their only try of the half. As soon as the conversion had been attempted the whistle went and it was game, set and match to Holt.

Final score: North Walsham 10 - Holt 25.

A super result made possible by tremendous work all over the pitch by everybody. And we can play even better than this, we have some big games coming up, let's take this performance, bottle it and bring it out again in two weeks time.

Hovver boots at the ready.

Cuddle time.

Quotes of the day:

"Tracey, I love you but I'm going to be late..."

Rob Hughes, at half time (who should have left after kick off).

"Wonderful, gorgeous, brilliant."

Carl Durban, a lot.

"Sexy Rugby."

George Robson.

Man of the match -

Everyone. You all played so well for both halves, no single player deserves to be highlighted more than any other.

Turd of the week -

It would be harsh to pick any one thing after such a great performance.

However Jerry is in the book for next week for disappearing very soon after the match for a McDonalds. Kate, what were you thinking, these boys need to treat their bodies as temples. Just like Rob and I do. And anyway, there's a better meal deal at KFC.

NB There are more pics on Amelia Ghanbouri's FB page.

Well done to all those that turned up for this fixture, which was postponed from last week. And, as usual, we wanted to get you all as much pitch-time as we could. This was made a little more possible as Norwich were short and we could lend them a few players, so well done to all those that played for the enemy.

Although the first half was very one-sided affair with some very good phases and moments, there were still a lot of areas that will need improving for the next few forthcoming fixtures, and beyond. On the positive side there was some good distribution, great breaks from Callum, Matti and Alex. Caz had a great game, Tommy T worked hard to make sure he was at every ruck protecting the ball. George R distributing well as scrum-half. Alexander bashing players out of the way. Josh, what a wonderful sight at full flight, something we've missed over the years. Dean putting his body on the line and a debut try for James. Well done everyone, not just those mentioned here.

However, and there's always a however... we still need to get to the breakdown quicker, be more dominant and quicker to re-cycle the ball at the ruck. We are still following the ball and sometimes losing our shape and when the ball comes out we are in danger of being run through, or around in defence but also in offence by losing our width we are not offering as many options and tend to close each others space down. Maybe it's easier to see from the sidelines but sometimes you have to scan the pitch and see what is the best option, take a look first before you make the next move. And talk to each other, there might be one captain but there can be many leaders.

The second half saw a much tighter game, helped no doubt by Jenks, Jack and Matti putting on Norwich shirts and the score in this half was 3 tries to Holt and 2 to Norwich. Next week we will need to up our game and play some better, simpler rugby not only well but fast, decisive and with good controlled aggression. Looking forward to it.

This weeks Man Of The Match: Robin Locke.
Worked hard all game, playing the first half for Norwich. Didn't quite win the boat race though. Work to be done there...

A note also for this week's Guest Photographer. Geoff 'One-Eye' Webster. The fruit of his morning's work are below.