Eastern Counties three way competition.

Eastern Counties runners up competition
between Bury St. Edmunds (Suffolk), Peterborough (Cambs) and Holt (Norfolk).

Game 1 - Bury St Edmunds v Holt.
After a decent journey we were made very welcome by the hosts at their superb facilities. However with so many Youth and Colts fixtures on we were scheduled to play on pitch 3, a tight pitch with some grass on it, possibly the north slope. The bottom corner however, which was I think about a 1 in 3 gradient was always going to be the corner to attack or defend.  Holt started playing down the slope and with the wind played managed to apply plenty of pressure on Bury throughout the half, Alex and Caz combining in the centres, Jamie at fullback making his tackles and catching well, the forwards doing the dirty work and Simmo with Ally looking to create options. Although both teams came within close to scoring with some strong rugby in tricky conditions, the half time score was 0-0.
In the second half it was Bury with the advantage of both the wind and the 1 in 3 slope who applied the pressure on Holt from the start, Bury did indeed cross the the try line twice only to be denied by some superb Holt defence holding the player and ball up, Jack Webster stopping one and a gaggle of players in black (and a considerable amount of mud) stopping the second one. Holt did almost make a break with minutes to go up the slope, however Bury turned the ball over and forced their way back towards the Holt line only for a penalty to be awarded, and with last kick off the game Bury kicked the penalty, after considerable encouragement from the sidelines, to secure a 3-0 win.

Holt going downhill

Sam and his bubble perm (notice there is no mud in it)...

Wingers wunning.

Heading to the below sea-level part of the pitch

Another scrum.

Dean passes to Simmo, whilst being cuddled by the Bury scrum-half.

Line-out lottery.

Guest photographer for the Bury game: Lesley Jenkins.



Game 2 - Peterborough v Holt.
With the games being just two halves of 15 minutes Holt had a quick break before the second game against Peterborough. Playing a game against a team the size of Peterborough on a pitch as muddy and sloped as the one the Bury Holt game had been played on wasn't something anyone from Holt was looking forward to. Help was at hand and fortunately the 1st team pitch had become vacant, so everyone decamped onto a lovely wide, flat dry pitch in front of the main stand and clubhouse.
The first scrum came as a bit of a shock to Holt as Peterborough knocked Holt back, not something they are used to. Just as the Peterborough scrum half was thinking about what to do with the ball Simmo pounced on him, stole the ball with help from Jacko and sprinted up the left wing to score. A tough conversion was missed.
Peterborough then used their considerable size and strength difference to apply plenty of pressure, picking and driving from the half way line and eventually going over. Again this wasn't converted and the score was even at 5-5. With one player already borrowed from Holt, a second was required as Caz was injured in a collision, an injury that has since been confirmed as a broken collarbone... yes another injury...
Simmo made a second break after some really resolute Holt defence, with good work in particular from Jack Brady, who was looking to ensure Holt kept their width. This second try was much closer to the posts and Ally slotted it home to end the half at Holt 12 - Peterborough 5.
Holt started the second half with far more aggression and determination, looking to contain the Peterborough and stop their gameplan. Some superb work by Jerry at one lineout on the left wing was a real indication of how much everyone was having to dig deep. Really great forward play.
Peterborough were trying to break their way through and got their just reward after a penalty that Holt were slack to defend, waiting for the ball carrier to come to them, rather than attacking from defence. Not only did the Peterborough breach the Holt defence he carried on through to the tryline and scored. The conversion was missed and Holt won the game 12-10.

The formidable opposition

'Okay, me against you lot. Bring it on'

'I'm getting outta here...'

Peterborough look on.

The supporters look down.

Action pose.

Jerry looking forward to another scrum.

 Guest photographer for the Peterborough game: Kate Moore. 

'What me?' Yes, you.

No man of the match was awarded as the third game between Bury and Peterborough was held and time was getting on. There was a turd of the week awarded in the bar though. Congratulations Alex Storey, your Mum will be proud of you for bringing the shirts home. Next time, don't kick the ball away at a penalty. Hopefully lesson learnt.

Thank you everyone for making the trip down south. A trip well worth making as it meant we could play some teams from out of the county and having not played Bury since we were under 10s and having never played Peterborough it was all good experience. Bury were excellent hosts and we would certainly welcome a return to play them on a pitch more suited to our game, as I'm sure would they.