Holt v Fakenham (16.12.12)

What a lovely way to round off a messy half to the season. Great to see such a good turn-out for this fixture and as usual we managed to keep players rotated so everyone got as much rugby as possible.

If the cap fits...

The game started with a very well, Holt kicking off to Fakenham and the resulting drive from this pressure meant the ball popped out to Jacko, who used his strength to break a couple of tackles and go over. Ally converted this one, and many others during the morning, which really did help to keep the score ticking over. Fakenham responded really well, courtesy of a messy re-start and then a good kick through and a ball that died just over the line as Simmo went to touch it down, missing by a hands length. Holt 7 - Fakenham 5.

The game overall was very well competed and it was never going to be an easy win, Holt had to work very hard to either keep possession or regain possession in the breakdown. Both teams were playing a very condensed game and not making the most of the very wide Holt 1st team pitch. There was some great tackling by the Holt players and strong running that either broke tackles or gave the opportunity for the ball to be re-cycled. Jacko then scored his second of the game after a much better re-start putting pressure on Fakenham straight away causing an advantage to be played, Jacko picked and went. Another Ally conversion made it Holt 14 - Fakenham 5.

The coalface.

The next Holt score came from a very strong scrum, the ball coming out and through Ally, Matti, Callum, Shed and finally Alex to dive over right in the corner. A tough conversion was missed and the score was Holt 21 - Fakenham 5. It wasn't long before another Holt try was added, this one from Matti, making a welcome return, bursting through the middle and sprinting away to score under the posts. Ally popped this one over to make it Holt 28 - Fakenham 5.

Super backs play on show all morning.

The last try of the half came from Simmo. Another super scrum after some great rucking and counter-rucking, the ball coming out to Simmo, who skipped through three tackles to score. The scrummaging was well contested all morning and this gave an excellent platform to the backs to do their magic. Ally just missed this conversion and the half time score was Holt 33 - Fakenham 5.

Coach Will looks on...

The second half was a scrappy start, possibly due to the changes to each side but mainly to Fakenham upping their game and really looking to get back into the match. The opposition were keeping things tight and pulling the Holt players in too. Holt were managing to hold off the visitors pressure and just need to get the ball wide and use their speed. Eventually an opportunity arrived and the ball was worked wide but Fakenham covered the move and a little awkwardly the ball was re-worked back inside with Matti straightening to burst through and score under the posts. Another conversion for Ally. Holt 40 - Fakenham 5.

Matti gets his second of three tries.

Try number seven was scored by Alex, again after some solid work in the centre of the pitch. Eventually, through great hands the ball came out to Alex who sprinted away down the wing in front of a really good crowd of mostly appreciative Holt supporters. Ally kicked the conversion and the score was Holt 47 - Fakenham 5. At half-time the boys were challenged to keep a clean sheet in the second half and this was only going to be possible with a really high work rate. Something that was kept up, whoever was on the pitch.

Subs ready for action.

The next try was worthy of the 'turd of the day' for the wave from Matti for Theo to take a picture as he sprinted by. A great try, not so sure about the show-boating... Needless to say Theo's reactions weren't quick enough! The try was converted and the the scores stood at Holt 54 - Fakenham 5. Callum scored the penultimate try, after a kick over the top that didn't seem necessary at the time but fortunately came off, Caz put the defender under immediate pressure and Callum profited from the the situation, nicking the ball away and sprinting over to score. A tricky conversion was missed. Score Holt 59 - Fakenham 5.

'I think I'll leave it here..' Callum scores try number nine.

Credit must be given to Fakenham who kept trying to make it difficult for Holt and were always looking as if they could make a break but the Holt defence was immense. None more so than for the last try. Fakenham had secured possession and their winger managed to break through a couple of tackles, escaping into open space behind the Holt back line. However, just as Fakenham thought a score was going to made in came Simmo from nowhere, to tackle the player and then immediately Jacko was on the scene to do what he does best, jackling the ball from the isolated player, the play was switched to the opposite wing and all it required was for Shed to run half the length of the pitch. It was then that the whole game seemed to slow down, cue the music to 'Chariots Of Fire' ...Shed pinned his ears back, (this gave him another 5 miles an hour) and with two of Fakenham's slowest players chasing him the line eventually came. As Shed was so exhausted at such exertion he didn't bother to go for the posts and Ally had a difficult kick for conversion, which was just missed. Shed was awarded the 'Turd Of The Day' for this moment. Final score Holt 64 - Fakenham 5.

N.B. This picture has been modified to give the appearance of speed.

Although the score made it look like it was a very one-sided game, it was only though hard work that it was possible to create to so many opportunities, opportunities that were taken with great skill. After Christmas we have a warm-up fixture against Norwich, then Walsham at home (time to do the double?) and Wymondham in the first round of the Norfolk Cup. Holt will need to show more of the effort, determination and control to be successful in these tough games. have a great Christmas and New Year. Enjoy the break and we'll see you back in January.