Holt v Diss (17.02.13)

It was great to see Diss back up at Holt, this fixture been hastily arranged midweek when both Diss and Holt had found themselves without an opposition and Holt in particular desperate to give some of the players who have been supporting from the sidelines as much rugby as possible.

Looks familiar but not in that shirt. Well done Ally and Jenks for volunteering.

Diss were one player short, so Ally was kindly volunteered for the first half and Jenks for the second. Holt switched several players around to try different combinations and to accommodate those that had supported from the bench in the last couple of weeks.

The first try came from Jenks, breaking straight through the middle after profiting from some great work by Josh and Alexander punching holes in the Diss defence. Josh in particular was prominent all morning making some terrific breaks, boshing into players and drawing defenders. The conversion was missed. Holt 5 - Diss 0.

The face says it all...

However, Diss soon hit back after managing to turn over the ball at the ruck after several Holt players made a break and the support wasn't there quick enough to secure the ball. Diss switched the play from one side to the other and scored in the corner. No conversion. Holt 5 - Diss 5.

The boys ruck while the ref dances.

 Diss then took the lead, following a strong break and a missed tackle. This try was converted to make it Holt 5 - Diss 12. Holt soon responded after a much better period of play where the home team notably were contesting the ball in the loose with much more aggression. Simmo made a break and evaded the Diss defence to score near the posts. This try was converted to end the half all even at 12 points each.

Pottle puts in.

 With no substitutes for either side it meant just positional changes for Holt, shifting a few players around to see how things could work better, which it did. Much better aggression, more re-cycling and a better platform for the backs to do their damage. Simmo got the half off to a great start scoring in the corner with desperate Diss defenders trying to tackle him into touch. No conversion: Holt 17 - Diss 12.

Take off!

The next try was scored by Matti, who finished off the great work started by Josh picking up the ball at the base of a successful scrum, drawing several Diss players as he drove forward. The ball came back to the quick boys and Matti broke through the tackle of the last Diss player to score under the posts. The conversion was scored to make it Holt 24 - Diss 12.

I'm gonna get you...

Titus then scored the last Holt try of the game after a messy period of the game with players slipping and the ball being knocked on, won by one team and then counter-rucked by the other. This try was converted to make it; Holt 31 - Diss 12. There were some notable moments in the game, one particular great piece of flank play by Harrison, a driving tackle on his opposite number. Jamie playing well at scrum half and trying to get away down the wing. Shed looking very comfortable at full-back, always looking to get involved. Tommy T always making the breakdown and supporting at the ruck and Finn, well Finn being Finn really.

The visitors hadn't given up though and although time was running out  they were determined to get a score in the half and after breaking through two tackles down the right their player cut back inside and dived over to score. No conversion.
Final score: Holt 31 - 17.

A numpty and a man of the match. You decide.

Jerry losing the boat race. Kate, you may be doing the shirts next week!

Man of the match: Jamie Pottle. Lots of pressure at scrum-half, well played.
Turd of the week: After injuring himself at school, playing tiddlewinks or hopscotch or it might have been another other girly sport like football. Jerry. You numpty. Kate, you get the shirts!

Holt v Wymondham (Norfolk Cup 1st round) 03.02.13

After being postponed for two weeks both clubs were desperate to get this game on. Holt and  Wymondham haven't met for far too long and everyone involved knew this was going to be a tough fixture.

As expected right from the start both teams were up for the challenge and a lot of the initial play was in the middle of the pitch, each team countering the other's attacks. It wasn't long before a break came from Holt when Simmo chipped and chased putting Holt in the visitor's 22. Wymondham however came back working their way to the centre of the pitch and after some very good defence by Holt Ally grubbered a kick through, which was followed up by a great chase, as were all kicks, all morning. From the resulting 5m scrum, Wymondham being put under pressure by Holt, Simmo picked from the base and went blind to score in the left corner. A tricky conversion was just missed. Holt 5 - Wymondham 0.

The forwards doing their stuff while the backs wait.

Holt's second try came, again from Simmo but this one after Jacko had made one of his powerful breaks, taking players with him, as usual. Yet again as was the case all morning Holt's forwards in the scrum and loose providing the kind of platform for the backs to make their breaks from. This try was scored over in the right corner but Simmo had enough time to get nearer the posts and Ally converted to make it Holt 12 - Wymondham 0.

Penalty. Three points, thank you.

It wasn't long before Holt added to the score, this time from a penalty. The offence was virtually in front of the posts and it was easy 3 points to take. Holt 14 - Wymondham 0. Wymondham responded after stretching the Holt defence on the right hand side and then switched right across the pitch to the left to go over in the corner, no conversion. Holt 15 - Wymondham 5.

Holt could and should have gone further ahead after a try was disallowed for a forward pass, the pass was forward, just. it could have been avoided. Half time.

Surprise, surprise, it's ruck time.

The second half saw Holt playing slightly downhill with the wind blowing everywhere. Holt knew Wymondham were going to keep coming back and not give up, so it was to Holt's great credit that they really gave their all in defending any Wymondham attack, the forwards really taking to the challenge and using real aggression to win their scrums including some against the head, rucks and counter rucks were also fiercely contested. Not only that but there was more than one driving maul, one particular one with Theo taking the ball in and being driven on by the Holt forwards for almost 20metres. Holt making driving mauls, virtually unheard of. There were rucks aplenty and Wymondham showed how this was their game, looking to get up very quick at the breakdown and snuffle any loose ball. However, Holt had no intention of giving an inch to Wymondham and a real battle was being played out by the forwards.

And yet another ruck.

Shed, who injured his elbow was replaced by Caz, with Alex Storey switching to fullback. Holt's next try started way back in Holt's half after a bit of a mix-up between two players but Alex Storey showing superb strength and determination to hold off the attacking players, the ball came out to Simmo who somehow ran, skipped, burst through the Wymondham defence only being held up just short of the line but with Jacko there to take the pop, all he had to do was dive to score right in the corner. No conversion. Holt 20 - Wymondham 5.

Holt added another score with Alex benefiting from more lovely work by the forwards, this time Theo, Ben and James combining to secure possession. Alex broke away and went straight under the posts. An easy conversion for Ally, which he missed. Holt 25 - Wymondham 5.

Callum (on the floor) protecting himself from any fallout...

Callum scored Holt's penultimate try, breaking down the right and feinting to cut inside, thereby creating himself enough space to go over in the corner. Lovely speed, lovely try. With the wind blowing all over the place and this conversion being right over on the right it was a tough conversion for Ally, which he missed. Holt 30 - Wymondham 5.

Wymondham never let their heads go down and although the clock was ticking away they were putting in some determined moves and their hard work was rewarded with a score in the far corner. No conversion.  Holt 30 - Wymondham 10.

Jack. Crunch.

Matti scored Holt's final try, again from another great scrum, the Wymondham number eight picking from the base, as he done a lot during the game but was driven back by the Holt back row forwards. The ball was won by Holt, Simmo had a look, passed to Ally who sent it to Matti who broke away to score under the posts. No conversion. No comment. Holt 35 - Wymondham 10.

Deano came on for Jacko, who had taken a knock and the last 6-8 minutes were very hard fought by both teams, both giving their all to try to change the outcome but in the end the Holt boys held out and won a very well played game.

Final score: Holt 35 - Wymondham 10.

The bench, ready and waiting. The coaches, ready for a beer.

A really great display by both teams, totally committed rugby, totally determined. Brilliant to see and be a part of. Special thanks to the bench who were all ready to play their part, if called upon. And those that didn't feature, we have plenty more rugby to look forward to. Least all a semi-final against Beccles, next Sunday at home.

Man of the match could have one of many but Jenks was rightly awarded the honour after giving a sterling performance on the flanks.

Turd of the week was decided before the game and Caz knew he was top contender for forgetting his boots and having to borrow Rob's. Which resulted in Rob falling on his backside, at least once. Which of course was well worth being awarded the turd for. Same again next week, please Caz.

Both boys also missed out on the bumps having birthday's this weekend. Until next week guys...

Man of the match: Jenks

Turd of the week: Caz