Holt v Norwich (06.01.13)

A Happy New Year indeed. After the superb performance and result against Fakenham before Christmas it was important for Holt to carry on from where they had left off before the two week break. Norwich were short of a few players, including a hooker, so to avoid going un-contested we volunteered Deano to put on a Norwich shirt along with Simmo and Jamie for the first half.

Before every game it is important to make sure everyone is warmed up...

...and the ref has been paid off.

Holt's first try came from a strong scrum won by Holt, the ball came out wide, through Sam, Caz and Callum to Alex who dodged a couple of tackles, slipped and fell, then managed to get back to his feet and score in the corner. A close conversion attempt for Ally who was there or thereabouts all morning. It was a game that started with quite a few handling errors by both teams, this didn't help to provide much of a flowing game, unfortunately. However, it wasn't long before Alex profited from another great scrum, the ball once again, coming out to the right wing even after it looked like the back line were a bit condensed and not giving themselves as much space as they could have. Alex scored again in the corner, this one converted by Ally. Holt 12 - Norwich 0

Ally who seems to have found his kicking boots.

Callum added the third Holt try after going wide, then cutting back inside. This try came after a messy phase and one that highlighted the lack of support for any runners, this causing players to run on that bit too far and not off-load to a player in a better position to continue the move. Try number four for Holt came courtesy of Jamie, making a welcome return. Callum started the move again coming out to the right wing, he then feinted to pass the ball, cut inside and passed to Jamie who had two desperate Norwich defenders trying to grab some Holt shirt to stop him. Ally just missed Callum's conversion but put this one over to make it Holt 24 - Norwich 0.

'Here you go..'

The last try of the half came from the super-slow motion specialist himself, Shed. This was possibly the best try of the half as the play went one way then came back the other, helped on its way by Jerry linking in the middle giving Shed the clear run on the left wing. A tricky missed conversion meant the half ended Holt 29 - Norwich 0

For the second half Holt gave Norwich three new players; Sam, Robin and Shed. Thanks was given at the end of the game, as without these 'volunteers' we wouldn't have had a game. Yet again Rugby is the winner. And I have the T-shirt to prove it.

This was no doubt at least a 25 metre run, taking on the whole of the Norwich defence, including multple side-steps by Sunday evening...

The first try of the half is something that doesn't happen very often, no not Halley's Comet or the Ice Age but a try by George Robson... He bashed his way through the remnants of the Norwich defence after some great work by Jacko and Jamie who took the ball up to five metres from the line to give George his moment of glory. Conversion by Ally making it Holt 36 - Norwich 0.

Robin picks up the ball, it might look like he's dropping it but I'm sure he wouldn't do that.

The next try came from Alex, this his third of the day and he wasn't finished there. Theo took the ball from the re-start and made a great run through the middle of the Norwich team, almost breaking free but just being caught by the last Norwich player, the ball was re-cycled to Alex by Jacko. Jacko then added the eighth Holt try soon after the re-start after some good work out wide by Jamie. Neither tries were converted and the score was Holt 46 - Norwich 0.

Sam to Caz, Tommy T towering above them both.

The ninth try came from Simmo, he picking up a loose ball and zipping up the wing, scoring under the posts, something virtually every other scorer had failed to do testing Ally's kicking ability. This one was a much easier conversion and the score was Holt 53 - Norwich 0. Jamie added the tenth try profiting from a super strong run through the middle by Jacko, at one point he seemed to have half the Norwich team hanging off him. No conversion, Holt 58 - Norwich 0.

The final try was scored by who else but Alex, his fourth of the day and this one came as Norwich were looking like they were going to break through the Holt defence for the first time, only for possession to be regained and Alex was away.  No conversion and the final score was Holt 63 - Norwich 0.

Norwich putting on a brave face. Keep on smiling, keep on enjoying your rugby.

Well done to Norwich for keeping at it and for not letting their heads drop. Holt were fairly ruthless and although scored eleven tries it was more pleasing to see zero tries scored against. There are some tough games coming up so Holt need to be at their best. Well done everyone and thank you to all those that helped put out the tables and serve the players their post-match lunch.

Man of the match: Alex Storey. Four tries and some very strong work all morning.

Turd of the week: George Robson. Where shall I start...