The Norfolk Cup Final.

Dramatic final kick of the game seals the victory.

What a game. What a performance. What a superb squad of players and what an
unbelievable set of supporters.

“Must be up there with best moments I have seen in sport, ever.”

“Still smiling whenever I think of it.”

“Unbelievable, it had everything.”

“A game of premiership quality.”

These are just some of the things being said after what was one of the most amazing games of rugby. Every single player, whether in the black and white of Holt or the green and white of North Walsham gave their all. If you were there you will remember it for a very long time, if you were part of the Holt under 13s squad you’ll never forget it.

Holt had been given just three key words to take out onto the pitch with them; Attack. Attack. Attack. And that’s exactly what they did, right from the very start. Walsham didn’t know what had hit them, from the bursting run of Callum to the first scrum, where they were back on their 5metre line. Holt pounded the Walsham defence and the only surprise was it took three attempts to get over the try line. Jack eventually getting his first of the match, proving a rock in the middle of the field, Holt’s secret weapon. Ally made the conversion, giving Holt a 7-0 lead.

Holt didn’t let up from the re-start, again looking to punch holes in a very resolute Walsham defence. There was a series of battles going on around the pitch, big tackles being made by both sides, no-one missing a tackle the entire game. Eventually Walsham managed to make a break and although they were dragged to the ground at every opportunity they did manage to just get in one final off-load to
one of their players, who broke away and scored under the posts. A conversion put the scores level at 7-7.

The game continued to to-and-fro, with Holt clearly showing no fear in any aspect of the game, taking on Walsham, dominating possession and territory. A couple of nice pie-charts would clearly have shown more black than green. Half-time was looming and after yet another Holt attack Walsham managed to emerge with the ball and score in the corner, this crucially wasn’t converted, score North  Walsham 12 - Holt 7. Players were tiring and the whistle was blown.

Harrison came on for an injured Robin, Caz for George B. Fin prowled the touchline, waiting his turn but George Robbo wasn’t finished yet. Holt started the second half as they had played the whole of the first half, totally putting Walsham on the back foot. Alex and Callum combining well. All the forwards driving, winning mauls and rucks, some superb tackling by both sides, the best by Alexander who took their playmaker off as if he had been hit by a bull, right under the noses of the Holt supporters. Lovely.

Injuries were starting to mount up as player after player went down, but no-one wanted to come off. Everyone was digging deep, very deep to find that last effort and just when the clock was starting to get perilously close to running down Holt launched what proved to be the decisive attack. Walsham were hanging on, Holt were knocking them back, closer and closer to their try line, the pack taking the ball closer and closer, the ball coming back to Holt and another dart to seal the victory by Ally, Simmo and Callum. Then it happened. Jack received the ball and the space appeared, the try was made and the scores were tied, 12-12. The secret weapon had delivered. There was only enough time for a conversion. Trouble was it was right on the wing, it needed a left-footed kicker and it was a very long way out. The crowd hushed, Simmo steadied himself, took the kick, everything went in slow motion, it really did. The ball kept straight and true but was running out of steam and was dipping closer and closer towards the crossbar. Would it make it, had it made it? Two flags went up from the touch judges and the crowd went wild, really wild, absolutely mad. Hugs, kisses, jumping for joy and even a pitch invasion. Absolutely brilliant. Holt had won by 14 points to 12.

The squad.
Rugby is a team game and more than that, it’s a squad game and every member of the Holt under 13’s played their part in the eventual victory, bearing mind we did beat Norwich and Diss to get this far. So even if you didn’t get onto the pitch in the final, you should all be very, very proud of yourselves. Thank you everyone, the extra training, the Sunday morning hard work, it all paid off.

The supporters.
The sixteenth man. Every single one of you who cheered, shouted yourself hoarse, roared and screamed, deserve a massive pat on the back and huge thank you from all the players and coaches of this squad. It was just as exhausting watching as playing. You really made a difference, not only did Holt dominate on the pitch, they dominated off the pitch too. Superb.

Friday night.
There were doubtless many different aspects as to why Holt won this game and one of the biggest was the ‘team’ effort and I don’t mean those just wearing the shirts. Friday night was a perfect example of what a great group of players and families we are blessed with. Mel and Rob hosted a real feast and over 70 of you turning up, contributing and managing to drink the bar dry, especially the wine drinkers, you know who you are. Keep up the good work.

Man of the match
To pick one person out when every player had given their all, putting their bodies on the line was very difficult. However, with both the Holt tries to his name Jack showed his true value to this side. Well done.

Turd of the week.
Someone had to win it. No-one deserved it but Harry took it on the chin for having to use his left-foot to score that, by now, legendary conversion.

Winning in the bar.
Not only did we win on the pitch and by the side of the pitch, we also were the last standing (sort of) in the bar. Walsham having left us to the celebrations. Boy, what a day.