West Norfolk v Holt (13.01.13)

After having managed to secure this fixture following the mix-up with Walsham it was all but scuppered at the last minute by the weather. A great Holt turn-out saw the West Norfolk 1st team pitch look un-playable due to frost, fortunately the 2nd team pitch was slightly softer under foot and just to make sure we gave it a further half hour of sun. Then it was game on.

All in a line.

West are a big, physical side, exactly the sort of opposition Holt wanted prior to the forthcoming Norfolk Cup match against Wymondham. The game started well from Holt with good pressure and the team in black getting well into the home team's twenty two. The first score came from Alex Storey, who is having a really good run of form, breaking down the right wing after a messy line-out was won cleared up by Jerry. A tight conversion for Ally, which was just missed. It wasn't long before Holt scored their second try, this one from Simmo who managed to rip the ball off a West player, just as the home team were looking to make progress on the edge of Holt's twenty two. Players were trying to tackle too high and against players the size of the West team who handed-off well it was never going to work. Tackle low, tackle hard. Another tough and close conversion attempt. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 10.

Simmo about to score.

Simmo scoring, honest.

The next try came from Alex, again. This one working from one corner to the other putting the West defence under plenty of pressure. The next try came soon after, and yes it was Alex again with his hat-trick try. This one was the best of the lot, won after two great scrums from Holt who must have been giving away about at least six stone to West's pack but Holt were tighter, lower and putting more pressure on their opposition. Alex finished this one with great strength, really striding powerfully to score again in the corner. Both conversions were again very close but missed, not helped by all the tries being scored in the corners testing Ally's range. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 20.

A big strong pack from West Norfolk being taken on by Holt.

The penultimate try of the half was taken by Callum, who suddenly seemed to wake up when he was on the pitch, several of the boys not looking at their most alert when they tumbled out of the various vehicles earlier in the morning. This try was a typical Callum one, sniping through the West defence following some great work by Shed. Guess what, yes scored in the corner and Ally just missing. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 25.

Spot the ball. Pics by Mum. (Thanks Tracey).

Before West scored their first try of the game, Theo had taken the ball well from the kick-off making ground through the West on-rushing players and passing to Ally who stepped to create himself space. However West recovered and started to pile on the pressure, desperate for a try and they were rewarded for their hard work by going over to score. Holt weren't finished though and it was Ally that made this try, breaking through the middle of the West, showing great strength breaking several tackles and scoring under the posts. A nice easy conversion meant the half ended West Norfolk 5 - Holt 32.

With such a good turn-out there were many changes at half time with players all over the pitch playing in different positions. Holt won't have the luxury of this come the Norfolk Cup game, as there will be a restriction on subs and no rolling subs allowed.

The crowd wait looking on.

 West managed to make the most of the situation as Holt were finding their feet and position, conceding a soft try. No conversion. West soon added another try, this time breaking through the whole Holt team, a lack of commitment in the tackles the reason, this try was converted. West Norfolk 17 - Holt 32.

Striding out.

Filling out.

Another try was  held up on the line after some great tackling back by Holt. However the resulting scrum gave West the platform to attack again, which after three attempts they managed to cross the line, driving over. No conversion West Norfolk 22 - Holt 32. Getting close. It got closer still as West scored again, this one looking like there was a forward pass in the build up but to be fair I wouldn't want to be a ref at this level, these boys can motor. This one was converted and the scores were West Norfolk 29 - Holt 32. Then came some real West pressure for the last five minutes who were pushing to see if they could just get one more score, some great work by Finn and Jerry forcing errors by the home team and giving Holt the possession and enough time to secure the win. Hearts in mouths...

Man of the match: Jerry. Super scrummaging.

Turd of the day: Sam. Feeding the opposition scrum. Doughnut.

Holt v Norwich (06.01.13)

A Happy New Year indeed. After the superb performance and result against Fakenham before Christmas it was important for Holt to carry on from where they had left off before the two week break. Norwich were short of a few players, including a hooker, so to avoid going un-contested we volunteered Deano to put on a Norwich shirt along with Simmo and Jamie for the first half.

Before every game it is important to make sure everyone is warmed up...

...and the ref has been paid off.

Holt's first try came from a strong scrum won by Holt, the ball came out wide, through Sam, Caz and Callum to Alex who dodged a couple of tackles, slipped and fell, then managed to get back to his feet and score in the corner. A close conversion attempt for Ally who was there or thereabouts all morning. It was a game that started with quite a few handling errors by both teams, this didn't help to provide much of a flowing game, unfortunately. However, it wasn't long before Alex profited from another great scrum, the ball once again, coming out to the right wing even after it looked like the back line were a bit condensed and not giving themselves as much space as they could have. Alex scored again in the corner, this one converted by Ally. Holt 12 - Norwich 0

Ally who seems to have found his kicking boots.

Callum added the third Holt try after going wide, then cutting back inside. This try came after a messy phase and one that highlighted the lack of support for any runners, this causing players to run on that bit too far and not off-load to a player in a better position to continue the move. Try number four for Holt came courtesy of Jamie, making a welcome return. Callum started the move again coming out to the right wing, he then feinted to pass the ball, cut inside and passed to Jamie who had two desperate Norwich defenders trying to grab some Holt shirt to stop him. Ally just missed Callum's conversion but put this one over to make it Holt 24 - Norwich 0.

'Here you go..'

The last try of the half came from the super-slow motion specialist himself, Shed. This was possibly the best try of the half as the play went one way then came back the other, helped on its way by Jerry linking in the middle giving Shed the clear run on the left wing. A tricky missed conversion meant the half ended Holt 29 - Norwich 0

For the second half Holt gave Norwich three new players; Sam, Robin and Shed. Thanks was given at the end of the game, as without these 'volunteers' we wouldn't have had a game. Yet again Rugby is the winner. And I have the T-shirt to prove it.

This was no doubt at least a 25 metre run, taking on the whole of the Norwich defence, including multple side-steps by Sunday evening...

The first try of the half is something that doesn't happen very often, no not Halley's Comet or the Ice Age but a try by George Robson... He bashed his way through the remnants of the Norwich defence after some great work by Jacko and Jamie who took the ball up to five metres from the line to give George his moment of glory. Conversion by Ally making it Holt 36 - Norwich 0.

Robin picks up the ball, it might look like he's dropping it but I'm sure he wouldn't do that.

The next try came from Alex, this his third of the day and he wasn't finished there. Theo took the ball from the re-start and made a great run through the middle of the Norwich team, almost breaking free but just being caught by the last Norwich player, the ball was re-cycled to Alex by Jacko. Jacko then added the eighth Holt try soon after the re-start after some good work out wide by Jamie. Neither tries were converted and the score was Holt 46 - Norwich 0.

Sam to Caz, Tommy T towering above them both.

The ninth try came from Simmo, he picking up a loose ball and zipping up the wing, scoring under the posts, something virtually every other scorer had failed to do testing Ally's kicking ability. This one was a much easier conversion and the score was Holt 53 - Norwich 0. Jamie added the tenth try profiting from a super strong run through the middle by Jacko, at one point he seemed to have half the Norwich team hanging off him. No conversion, Holt 58 - Norwich 0.

The final try was scored by who else but Alex, his fourth of the day and this one came as Norwich were looking like they were going to break through the Holt defence for the first time, only for possession to be regained and Alex was away.  No conversion and the final score was Holt 63 - Norwich 0.

Norwich putting on a brave face. Keep on smiling, keep on enjoying your rugby.

Well done to Norwich for keeping at it and for not letting their heads drop. Holt were fairly ruthless and although scored eleven tries it was more pleasing to see zero tries scored against. There are some tough games coming up so Holt need to be at their best. Well done everyone and thank you to all those that helped put out the tables and serve the players their post-match lunch.

Man of the match: Alex Storey. Four tries and some very strong work all morning.

Turd of the week: George Robson. Where shall I start...