Holt Rugby Club Under 16s: Fakenham, Swaffham & Holt

Editor in Chief: Geoff Webster

Chief Paparazzi: Amelia Ghanbouri

Raring to go.

Another beautiful sunny Norfolk day dawned and the boys sprung from their slumbers on Sunday with joie to vivre, in awe of the bounties of nature. In the real world, we were due at Fakenham rugby club at 9.45. No one was there at 9.45. We were due to play the first match against Swaffham at 10.30 but were missing George who had waited until after passing Holt before casually mentioning he had forgotten his boots. Mel said "oh what a pity never mind dear" and turned back to retrieve them. So our first match in fact took place at 11.

A study of excellence.

The Holt scrummage machine.

Titus putting in.

Titus passing out.

The 3 way friendly competition was organised in memory of a Fakenham RFC lad, Craig Prior, who tragically died recently at just 18. Craig, a prop forward, played for Fakenham at senior and youth level and had also represented Norfolk and Leicester Tigers’ Elite Player Development Group (EPDG).

Billy Whizz. Closely followed by, well usually nobody..

Caz makes a break.

Jack makes a pose.

Evidence of one of Jack's favourite passes to nobody behind him.

The format was to play 2 twenty minute matches. Swaffham were up first for us and from early on it was clear we had the upper hand. Theo was first to score - a rampaging run from the ten metre line culminating in a score under the posts. 7-0 Holt. Tom Caz made a huge hit shortly after the restart and some good running from Jenks and swift hands from the backs saw Ali cross in the left corner. 12-0. From the kick off Holt conceded a penalty and Swaffham threatened for the first time. Stout defence kept them out, Jacko won a turn over and Callum received the ball in space. The rest you can guess. 19-0 final score. The set piece was a strength for us all day - particularly the scrum. I do not think technically there is a better front row than Alexander, Robin, George and Dean in Norfolk.

Up you go.

Down you come.

Just what Caz is doing I have no idea.

Holt stayed on the pitch and played a Fakenham side still smarting from their cup defeat a couple of weeks ago straight afterwards. The game was tightly contested. Holt conceded 10 penalties in the 20 minutes to the Fakenham choristers zero. Ultimately Fakenham won 5-0. Some good play in this match from Robin (catching and driving at line out), Dean playing on the blindside,Titus sniping at 9 and Alexander ball in hand, tackling and in the set piece.

Scrum fun.

A Holt sandwich.

Ruck time.

Probably a penalty. There were quite a few. Against Holt.

Callum about to break free. Again.

Theo striking a pose.

Ultimately this was a day of remembrance and there was a moving one minute of applause from all players and supporters for Craig Prior after the u16s had finished their game before the Colts, many of who played with Craig kicked off their game.

And here's a few pics from the catwalk.