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.