With the pitch baked as hard as concrete and the sun steaming down it felt more like a day for the beach than rugby. Across the whole festival and on both pitches it was notable that most of the boys were avoiding a full on tackle in order to lessen the chance of coming into contact with the ground, this was never going to encourage rugby to be played to its full potential. A shame as there were some good teams on display.
Game 1 v North Walsham
A nice easy game to start. A team keen to act out revenge for their defeat in the Norfolk Cup. It didn’t start well for Holt with Walsham looking far more awake and ‘up’ for the game. With these games only being 7 minutes a half it can be difficult to come back from a try scored. With Walsham scoring four in the first half it was nigh on impossible. Holt did actually win the second half, Simmo scoring a great try after Theo managed to flick the ball up in contact releasing Harry who managed to evade the desperate attempts to stop him. An improved performance all round in the second half but it was too little too late. Whether it was the weather or that Holt felt the season had ended on that glorious day at Scottow, who knows.
Game 2 v Colchester
A much better start with several of the Holt boys starting to find their feet, even if they were the same feet that required several plasters throughout the day and were certainly going to be sore by the end of the festival. Against the run of play Colchester scored first, Holt soon replied with a quick-thinking George Robson taking a line-out to a slightly surprised Simmo, who reacted well and managed to break through. 1-1 at half time, no conversions in this festival.
The second half continued to be a tight affair but Holt managed to get the decision after some strong work by the forwards sent Simmo through, who on being held up just short of the line managed to off-load to Jenks who came charging through. This is what can happen with support play. Being available on someone’s shoulder really changes the possibilities when an attack is launched BUT you have to be there. Final score Holt 2 – Colchester 1.
Game 3 v Diss.
A game that should have been Holt’s to win. A fair start with good scrummaging, Tommy T coming in the second row, releasing Jenks to the centres and Theo to flank. First blood to Holt, Callum showing some super speed after the Diss players had all been drawn in. This game was turning into a real tough match, Diss desperate to win to progress, Holt looking to make the most of their dominance throughout the game. Ally tackling for all he was worth, something that he does week in week out. Alexander taking the ball on and trying to smash through defences, Finn causing chaos, sometimes legally. Diss however managed to score before the end of the first half to level the scores, with an overlapped move.
The second half continued to be a fairly ferocious affair, both sides giving as much as they got. Holt pinning Diss back in their 22, winning a penalty and kicking for touch. Diss were pushed back further and then somehow managed to turn the ball over, and from only 10 metres in front of their try-line they evaded every Holt player and scored in the opposite corner. Game over Diss 2 – Holt 1.
Game 4 v Saffron Waldon
Another game that Holt should have won. Saffron looked beatable but Holt seemed to make the basics harder than they needed to be. Lots of effort was being put in but the play was stuck in the middle of the pitch. Good hands all round but no penetration. The second half saw Saffron Waldon break through, a little jink by one of their players, running with the ball in two hands and the space opened up. My notes say ‘no tackle’. I’ll say no more. Holt did respond and were very close to going over with a driving maul but were held up 2metres short. Then the next thing everyone knew was that Saffron Waldon had broken away and scored a second try. Callum managed to keep up his great scoring record, breaking after an awarded penalty. Game finished Saffron Waldon 2 – Holt 1.
Game 5 v Bury.
This Holt team have never lost to Bury and were reminded of the fact before the game. As a unit Holt hadn’t really done themselves justice at this festival and it was time to finish on a good note.
It was a tough game and fairly physical too. Simmo showed who was boss though, sniping from the base of a victorious Holt scrum. Bury then managed to equal the score before half time, somehow after Holt had won the scrum. However the Holt performance all round was much improved and although it was 1-1 at half time, this game was there for the winning.
The second half saw some of the Holt play we know and love. Strong, intensive and skillful. Perhaps we needed this physical contest earlier in the day to wake everybody up. The winning try was a moment of super skill, Callum took the ball from the kick-off, running full pelt at the Bury defence he then had the foresight, and even cheek, to chip the onrushing players, the bounce popping the ball straight back into his arms and there was no catching him. The second half continued to be a tight affair with much of the play in the middle of the pitch. Bury then launched a last attack down the line only for Jenks to cut across and tackle the player off the pitch. Holt won 2 – 1. A much better team performance all round and a good way to round up proceedings.
Two victories and three defeats. On another day, with more favourable conditions Holt would have, could have, easily turned those defeats into victories. However, it wasn’t to be, a tough day, strong competition, short games, solid ground and an unusually baking hot April sun. Whatever the result of the day, one thing hasn’t changed. Holt are still the holders of the 2011 Norfolk Cup.
Thank you to everyone for making the journey and especially to the Mums on the side who took a break from their pints of wine to go to Tescos for some much needed plasters and refreshments for the boys. Well done everyone.
This weeks collected up and washed ‘lost property’ amounts to two black long sleeved skins! Let me know if they are yours??
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