West Norfolk v Holt (13.01.13)

After having managed to secure this fixture following the mix-up with Walsham it was all but scuppered at the last minute by the weather. A great Holt turn-out saw the West Norfolk 1st team pitch look un-playable due to frost, fortunately the 2nd team pitch was slightly softer under foot and just to make sure we gave it a further half hour of sun. Then it was game on.

All in a line.

West are a big, physical side, exactly the sort of opposition Holt wanted prior to the forthcoming Norfolk Cup match against Wymondham. The game started well from Holt with good pressure and the team in black getting well into the home team's twenty two. The first score came from Alex Storey, who is having a really good run of form, breaking down the right wing after a messy line-out was won cleared up by Jerry. A tight conversion for Ally, which was just missed. It wasn't long before Holt scored their second try, this one from Simmo who managed to rip the ball off a West player, just as the home team were looking to make progress on the edge of Holt's twenty two. Players were trying to tackle too high and against players the size of the West team who handed-off well it was never going to work. Tackle low, tackle hard. Another tough and close conversion attempt. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 10.

Simmo about to score.

Simmo scoring, honest.

The next try came from Alex, again. This one working from one corner to the other putting the West defence under plenty of pressure. The next try came soon after, and yes it was Alex again with his hat-trick try. This one was the best of the lot, won after two great scrums from Holt who must have been giving away about at least six stone to West's pack but Holt were tighter, lower and putting more pressure on their opposition. Alex finished this one with great strength, really striding powerfully to score again in the corner. Both conversions were again very close but missed, not helped by all the tries being scored in the corners testing Ally's range. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 20.

A big strong pack from West Norfolk being taken on by Holt.

The penultimate try of the half was taken by Callum, who suddenly seemed to wake up when he was on the pitch, several of the boys not looking at their most alert when they tumbled out of the various vehicles earlier in the morning. This try was a typical Callum one, sniping through the West defence following some great work by Shed. Guess what, yes scored in the corner and Ally just missing. West Norfolk 0 - Holt 25.

Spot the ball. Pics by Mum. (Thanks Tracey).

Before West scored their first try of the game, Theo had taken the ball well from the kick-off making ground through the West on-rushing players and passing to Ally who stepped to create himself space. However West recovered and started to pile on the pressure, desperate for a try and they were rewarded for their hard work by going over to score. Holt weren't finished though and it was Ally that made this try, breaking through the middle of the West, showing great strength breaking several tackles and scoring under the posts. A nice easy conversion meant the half ended West Norfolk 5 - Holt 32.

With such a good turn-out there were many changes at half time with players all over the pitch playing in different positions. Holt won't have the luxury of this come the Norfolk Cup game, as there will be a restriction on subs and no rolling subs allowed.

The crowd wait looking on.

 West managed to make the most of the situation as Holt were finding their feet and position, conceding a soft try. No conversion. West soon added another try, this time breaking through the whole Holt team, a lack of commitment in the tackles the reason, this try was converted. West Norfolk 17 - Holt 32.

Striding out.

Filling out.

Another try was  held up on the line after some great tackling back by Holt. However the resulting scrum gave West the platform to attack again, which after three attempts they managed to cross the line, driving over. No conversion West Norfolk 22 - Holt 32. Getting close. It got closer still as West scored again, this one looking like there was a forward pass in the build up but to be fair I wouldn't want to be a ref at this level, these boys can motor. This one was converted and the scores were West Norfolk 29 - Holt 32. Then came some real West pressure for the last five minutes who were pushing to see if they could just get one more score, some great work by Finn and Jerry forcing errors by the home team and giving Holt the possession and enough time to secure the win. Hearts in mouths...

Man of the match: Jerry. Super scrummaging.

Turd of the day: Sam. Feeding the opposition scrum. Doughnut.

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...

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.

Holt v Swaffham (11.11.2012)

An excellent effort and performance by George, Dean, Shed, Jacko, Jenks, Caz, Tobias, Harrison and Josh, not only for their performance in the game but because they were the only Holt u15s on the pitch.  4 players were recruited from the u14s and Swaffham lent us a player for each half. Special thanks must go to those guys who came and put on one of our shirts, without them we wouldn't have been able to play the game and Swaffham would have traveled for nothing.

An impeccable minutes silence was held before the game, with both teams facing each other and all the other players and families coming to the side of the first team pitch to pay their respects. Brilliant.

Despite being disappointed by the lack of team mates and the re-organising it took to get the 14 players to work together the game was well fought and closer than the final score reflects. Swaffham are a developing side but they are also a very big side and were going to take some stopping.
Although the visitors scored first it was not going to be one way traffic and Holt soon replied, the game settled down and with much of the play in the middle of the field and it became a fairly even and well contested battle. Half time score was Holt 12 - Swaffham 14. A try by Shed and Jenks with Shed converting one of the tries.

Swaffham started the second half a little sharper and got an early try, which wasn't converted. However Holt pinned the visitors back not only in their 22 but on their 5 metre line and were denied a try by some very strong defence and a foot just in touch. Harrison eventually managed to close the gap after a quick penalty was taken. From this moment Holt could have edged ahead but Swaffham had found their rythmn and started to find holes in the Holt defence. A couple of further tries by the boys in yellow meant the final score was Holt 17 - Swaffham 31.

Well done to Swaffham who were obviously delighted on the final whistle, they came with 20 players and even loaning a couple to Holt still rotated their subs and gave everyone some valuable time on the pitch. An excellent effort by the Holt players, they had to tackle twice as much, cover more ground and gel with players they had only met 10 minutes before the game.

Man of the match: Tobias. Who worked really well with Caz at 10 and Josh at 8, digging the ball out and making things happen. When Tobias stood on the chair for his 'boat race' he was still only as tall as the Swaffham man of the match, before he climbed up on his chair. Congratulations Tobias and good to see you pulling on that shirt.

There was no Turd Of The Day presented for obvious reasons and Mel very kindly offered to wash the shirts. I will need to organise a rota system for this, so we can all share the load. Hands up who wants first dibs?

A big thank you to the helpers in the kitchen and with serving the matchday lunch. Not ideal for parents to help when their children are playing but it was just one of those unfortunate unavoidables. The Minis should have been away, as should have the u14s, which only left us and the u13s, who were scheduled to have had a match but it was cancelled very late.

Thanks to those who did let us know in advance that they were unavailable - obviously there were other events happening, a Norfolk fixture and Remembrance Sunday. But please let us know if you are unable to play as early as possible because matches can be cancelled, as a last resort, even though it does cause issues with ordered food and arrangements with the kitchen but at at least it will avoid any future embarrassment.

West Norfolk v Holt (04.11.12)

The result of this fixture was a difficult one to take. Holt were ahead for virtually the entire game, leading early on and kept on plugging away to stay in front right until the end, in fact the last play of the game and the longest 20 seconds ever. We felt robbed. So much hard work on a freezing, wet, muddy day and with half the team either absent or playing out of position it was looking like an incredible but totally deserved victory. However West won by the margin of 2 points. Next time...

The first half was against the rain and up a slight incline, yet Holt were not going to let that stop them showing how well they can play. After a scrappy passage of play, partly due to the conditions, a scrum was awarded to the home team which Holt won against the head. Something that happened plenty of times in the game, even though Holt must have been giving away a stone a man, at least. The ball was passed out and Alexander made a great run, Matti took the ball on the switch and was through.

The second try came from Jenks, a super run following another brilliant scrum. The ball came wide and Jenks was off up the left touchline, like the Jenks of old, to go over and make it West Norfolk 0 - Holt 10. However West came back into the game late on in the half to score a couple of tries and convert one. The first was a break down the wing and the second a bundled over try near the posts. Half time West Norfolk 12 - Holt 10.

The half time talk was short and sweet. Keep playing the way you did in the first half, Holt had the slope and the wind with them, they were told to use it and keep up the great work. With only a couple of spare players everyone had to dig deep for the rest of the game. Holt's third try of the game came from a long line-out, intentional I'm sure, snatched by Jacko at the back, who then made a surging run through the middle of the pitch to score under the posts. Ally converted.

The next try followed another powerful break by Jacko, who totally unselfishly off-loaded to Matti just short of the line. Matti was held up but the ball was re-cycled and fed out to the right wing where Matti popped up again and went over. West Norfolk 12 - Holt 22.

Then came West's response. The first a gift after a complete mess-up on our try line, the ball popping out and one of the West players flopping on the loose ball. Holt still continued to attack and kept pegging West back into their own twentytwo, however as much pressure as Holt exerted they just couldn't add to the score. Then came the heartbreak of a line-out on the Holt twentytwo, West stole the ball and tried to bundle their way through but some brave defending by Alex and Finn kept the home side out. Unfortunately the clock couldn't tick quick enough and more importantly Holt couldn't get possession of the ball to kick it into touch and West managed to get the ball back to the centre of the pitch and burst through under the posts. A simple conversion and the final whistle. Final score: West Norfolk 24 - Holt 22.

As hard as it is to take the defeat there are a great many positives to take from the game. A game played in tricky conditions with several players missing and many others having to play out of position. There were some great interchanges of play, some strong running and tackling. The scrummaging was immense and the spirit was absolutely brilliant, everyone stepped up to the mark. Great effort everyone.

Now for this week's guest photographer: Step up Mel Robson. Okay I just handed her my point and shoot camera but the resulting images, I'm sure you will agree, are possible Turner Prize contenders. I'm not even going to caption these ones. Not because I can't see anything in them but because I think they speak for themselves. Mel, get yourself and agent, you could have found a new career...
(ps, these were the better ones).

North Walsham v Holt (14.10.12) take 2

Someone certainly found their Mojo. And shared it around, to everyone. This fixture has always been a well contested one, with most of these boys having played against each other since they were about six years old. However on this occasion one team was definitely more at the races than the other.

Spot the ball competition.

It could have been so different with Walsham looking the stronger from the off, making good progressive work through the middle and pulling the strings to orchestrate a well-worked try after some good rucking to gain possession. A repeat of last year was on the cards, or was it. Maybe this was what was needed to wake the Holt players up, from then on in it was pretty much all Holt. A much better re-start, with a series of breaks, from Simmo and Callum, Jack, Alex and Matti, Alexander and Jerry making some lovely hits, George taking it to the opposition with Ben, Theo, Jack and Jenks working like Trojans. Ally and Caz working together to control the flow of the game.

Catch me. If you can.

The first try for Holt was scored by Callum, running a lovely line after the ball had been worked left, then switched right before Callum cut back inside. All made possible by some solid work in the midfield. Scores even. Then came try two for Holt, another super run by Alex Storey after Ally had made a lovely break in the middle of the pitch, outfoxing the onrushing Walsham defence with a quick dummy and all of sudden Holt were through, the ball was worked out to the left after some good handling and great back line distribution the ball came out to Alex and he was away. Super example of keeping good width and putting the ball through quick hands, making sure you commit the defender.

Holt's forwards have always belied their size and beaten many a larger pack and they were really up for this game, not only were winning their own scrums but also getting significant scrums against the head. The third Holt score coming from one of these scrums won against the head, shoving Walsham backwards, the ball was quickly got out wide and Alex was in again.

Half time and the score was North Walsham 5 - Holt 15. Time for some changes and on came the cavalry, a whole new pack, apart from Alexander and Jerry who were more than happy to keep taking it to Walsham. The phrase 'They don't like it up 'em, Mr Mainwaring...' from Dad's Army comes to mind.

Let's all do the Ben and Ally wobble dance.

The second half was just as fierce as the first with the fresh legs getting stuck into the action. There were times when Walsham looked like they were going to break through but there always seemed to be a black shirt to snuffle out the danger and if it wasn't ripped, jackled or rucked back there was always the set pieces to contest. Line-outs have become a bit of a flappy hand lottery and until next year when we can lift the jumper we perhaps should keep it simpler. Rucking is still an area we do need to work on. Once the ball carrier has gone to ground, he needs support immediately, otherwise the opposition are either going to jackle the ball or ruck over. We got away with it at times on Sunday but this is definitely an area we need to improve on.

Caz, 'I don't need to see the game, I can feel the game..'.

Try number four came from Simmo, and what a typical Simmo try it was. A break down in our own 22, the ball coming out from another very strong scrum and then away he went, managing to break three or four tackles to run virtually the length of the pitch and score. Callum looked to add to the tally with a super strong run on the left wing, only to be caught by good defensive work. It was definitely the width that Holt were maintaining that was causing the home team problems, time and time again dangerous breaks were being made. And it was from one of these that Matti added Holt's fifth and final of the game, again only made possible by the forwards, securing good ball and providing a solid platform for the backs to work with.

Bish...

...bosh!

Walsham did get a try back. A complete break-away from an intercepted pass in their 22, when it looked as if Matti was going to add another to the Holt total. Walsham worked their way through the Holt defence to score their only try of the half. As soon as the conversion had been attempted the whistle went and it was game, set and match to Holt. 

Final score: North Walsham 10 - Holt 25.

A super result made possible by tremendous work all over the pitch by everybody. And we can play even better than this, we have some big games coming up, let's take this performance, bottle it and bring it out again in two weeks time. 

Hovver boots at the ready.

Cuddle time.

Quotes of the day:

"Tracey, I love you but I'm going to be late..."

Rob Hughes, at half time (who should have left after kick off).

"Wonderful, gorgeous, brilliant."

Carl Durban, a lot.

"Sexy Rugby."

George Robson.

Man of the match - 

Everyone. You all played so well for both halves, no single player deserves to be highlighted more than any other.

Turd of the week -

It would be harsh to pick any one thing after such a great performance.

However Jerry is in the book for next week for disappearing very soon after the match for a McDonalds. Kate, what were you thinking, these boys need to treat their bodies as temples. Just like Rob and I do. And anyway, there's a better meal deal at KFC.

NB There are more pics on Amelia Ghanbouri's FB page.

Norwich v Holt (07.10.12)

Well done to all those that turned up for this fixture, which was postponed from last week. And, as usual, we wanted to get you all as much pitch-time as we could. This was made a little more possible as Norwich were short and we could lend them a few players, so well done to all those that played for the enemy.

Although the first half was very one-sided affair with some very good phases and moments, there were still a lot of areas that will need improving for the next few forthcoming fixtures, and beyond. On the positive side there was some good distribution, great breaks from Callum, Matti and Alex. Caz had a great game, Tommy T worked hard to make sure he was at every ruck protecting the ball. George R distributing well as scrum-half. Alexander bashing players out of the way. Josh, what a wonderful sight at full flight, something we've missed over the years. Dean putting his body on the line and a debut try for James. Well done everyone, not just those mentioned here.

However, and there's always a however... we still need to get to the breakdown quicker, be more dominant and quicker to re-cycle the ball at the ruck. We are still following the ball and sometimes losing our shape and when the ball comes out we are in danger of being run through, or around in defence but also in offence by losing our width we are not offering as many options and tend to close each others space down. Maybe it's easier to see from the sidelines but sometimes you have to scan the pitch and see what is the best option, take a look first before you make the next move. And talk to each other, there might be one captain but there can be many leaders.

The second half saw a much tighter game, helped no doubt by Jenks, Jack and Matti putting on Norwich shirts and the score in this half was 3 tries to Holt and 2 to Norwich. Next week we will need to up our game and play some better, simpler rugby not only well but fast, decisive and with good controlled aggression. Looking forward to it.

This weeks Man Of The Match: Robin Locke.
Worked hard all game, playing the first half for Norwich. Didn't quite win the boat race though. Work to be done there...

A note also for this week's Guest Photographer. Geoff 'One-Eye' Webster. The fruit of his morning's work are below.

Moody, misty and a long way away.

Sam attempting a moonwalk. Badly.

'Oh, for goodness sake, get a move on with it...'

Catch me if you can.

Josh looking his next bosh.

Mr Calm.