Holt Rugby Club Under 16s: Holt v Ipswich 03.11.13

Holt and Ipswich. Posing. Especially Sim.

Holt u16s. Sporting the AEG sponsored alternative kit.

Report by Geoff Webster

On Sunday Holt entertained a touring Ipswich team on the 1st XV pitch. Training followed its usual trajectory, despite the usual exhortations of the coaches it was possible to detect the marked lack of enthusiasm on the part of the team for anything remotely approaching vigorous exercise. The great news was that we had a squad of 17 and welcomed Oli Boldero and Harrison back into the fold.

Never fear, we thought, all will be well once the whistle goes. And sure enough, transmogrification occurred. Ipswich kicked off, Shed retrieved it without knocking on, heralding a good first 10 minutes of tightly contested play - both sides attacking and defending strongly without any breakthrough.

Then the first blow was struck. Shed received the ball out wide, and as if in slow motion (how is it Shed gives the impression of having so much time on the ball? Is he that good or does time literally slow down?) and put Alex away to power over in the corner. 5-0 Holt. From the next kick off, Alexander caught the ball, bustled forward, shipped it to Callum who applied the afterburners to scorch through the Ipswich defence to score near the posts (note: Callum is a blur, time most definitely does not stand still). 12-0 Holt. Ipswich looked a bit demoralised at this point, an impression exacerbated by the fact that in the next passage of play they pressured the Holt line intensely only for Callum to burst out of our 22, slipping it to Matty to score a tremendous break out try. 17-0 Holt.

But they obviously breed them tough in Suffolk. Obviously not true in the case of the football team, but the Ipswich rugby team responded like Saxon warriors in the shield wall. They dug in and applied the squeeze to Holt, forward and backs linking well to score near our posts. Not the best display of Holt tackling ever seen. At this point the wheels slightly came off the Holt chariot. Callum's half term in Dubai caught up with him as he retired to redecorate the touch line not once, not twice but three times. Sam Crafer strode onto the pitch, hair in good shape.

The next passage play saw a good, committed performance with neither side able to secure the upper hand. Some fine defence in particular from Ali and Jack that saw the big guy from Ipswich hobble off. Alexander and Theo showing how tight forwards should tackle, ruck and compete for ball. Unfortunately Ipswich had a fast guy. He scored. 17-14. George Robson won turnover ball and eventually the predatory Titus went over in the corner. 24-14 at half time.

At the start of the second half Ipswich scored through a simple miss 1 backs move before Holt had recovered from their snooze at half time. Then Holt woke up. Any sense that there had been no exercise taken over half term was laid to rest as New man Alec hurtled down the left touch line, brushing off Ipswich close quarters attention to score a first try for Holt. Jack burst clear and decided to try a grubber kick ten yards short of the line, which was comfortably touched down for a 22. Just shows you: forwards should only kick other forwards. Or if they get lucky, a back. Important life lesson for Jacko, reinforced by receiving the match turd despite Callum 's regurgitations. Holt did not look back from here - some genuinely excellent rugby saw Jack, Callum and Matty add their names to the scoresheet. Final score 53-21.

Man of the match was awarded by Ipswich to Titus, who did play exceptionally well at 9. Special mention in dispatches for Theo (I have not seen him play better - all round game and excellent kick off returns).

Ipswich went home to fight another day, carrying their wounded with them. They were good sports and a very congenial lunch was enjoyed by the boys. Training next week. Oh goody!

Pics by Amelia Ghanbouri