Holt v West Norfolk 16.10.2011

This fixture was always going to be a good competitive fixture and well contested. Although West initially started the better team, Holt soon upped their game and were matching them in all areas. Even though Holt must have been giving away a lot of weight in the scrum, they were not only matching West, they were shoving them off the ball. Great to see, good work forwards. Jenks and Jack, along with Tom Scott were having to put some big tackles in as West pushed close to the Holt line. West then managed to break a tackle and score to take the lead, just before half time. A good half and one that although West had taken the lead Holt had certainly had the better of it in the front row, George, Alexander and Jerry bossing things, Holt were also competing well in line out, giving Scotty good ball, Simmo playing at 10, looking to make breaks and put West on the defensive.

A few changes were made at half-time, everyone looking to come on and play their part. However, West started the more organised and made a break from the back of the scrum and a series of missed tackles gave them an early score. A third score by West came from a break-away after Holt had the visitors pinned down 10metres from their try line, Holt should have made more of the situation but once their player was away you realise how big these pitches are, there was no catching him, despite some excellent efforts. West added a fourth try but credit to Holt, who didn't give up, kept on trying and their hard work was rewarded when Dean received the ball on the right wing and decided to go direct to the line, no need for evasive running when you can knock the opposition out of the way.

A period of injuries and subsequent changes did little to help the flow and continuity of play. However, just as Holt were starting to find their second wind, with several breaks, Theo picking a ball up and driving through, Ollie Ross showing some true aggression, Scotty working hard at scrum-half and looking dangerous as well as Alex and Jack always looking for work, West broke from a line-out and scored. As Holt tired West scored the final try in dying seconds of the game, a soft one to concede, from just 10 metres their big No.5 driving over.

Considering this was our first real competitive match of the season and with a few players still missing, as well as new players finding their feet, there were lots of positives to take from the game. Good commitment, strong scrummaging, several very good tackles and competitive in the breakdown. With every positive there has to be a negative, so here's a few areas that obviously need working on. Apart from better tackling and finishing the tackles, we can always improve our rucking and lines of running but the main one is fitness. And by that we mean stamina, staying power, it's not a case of going to a gym and pumping some iron, your bodies aren't ready for that yet. Go for a run, swim, play as much sport as you can at school, use your own body weight for some exercises, simple stuff like we do in the warm-up and did in the summer, press-ups, sit ups, plank, etc., but make it quality not quantity.

Man of the match: Tom Scott, great play at scrum half and super tackling in defence.
Turd of the week: Harrison Nolan. Complete doughnut who turned up last week with two left boots!

Next week we are hosting a touring side; Trafford, let's give them a warm Norfolk welcome and then a really good match.

Big thank you to all the pitch-side supporters, helpers in the kitchen and the clubhouse, and those sorting and serving the lunches. Well done Mel for organising all of them!