The Last Hurrah.

After a long hard season, the first at youth level, a visiting team from the top division in Essex is just what you want to finish on a high. Or is it?

Over the course of the season this team of Holt under 13 players have proved they are capable of playing some of the best rugby in the county, the quickest rugby around with the most ferocious set of forwards in the region. Mentally our season ended on that glorious day in March. Did we mention the Norfolk Cup?

The fixture against Barking was a tough encounter and one that the visiting team were totally dominant in, apart from a few phases of play and the last 20 minute session, where we found our mojo and started to give Barking some of their own medicine. Enough in fact to have one of their players sin-binned and for them to start fighting amongst themselves. Credit must go to Alexander for scoring the two Holt tries and the tireless work by Ally, Jenks and Harry in the midfield. On a positive note it gives us a lot to work on for next season. We like a challenge.

The Player's Player Of The Season.
Voted for by the player's this award is a true reflection of how the player's see their team-mates and the contribution they offer. This season's award goes to Harrison Nolan. Well done Harrison, who has played several games at scrum-half but has also featured several times on the flanks, in both positions he has worked very hard at, quietly and confidently getting the job done. Excellent choice boys.

Harrison Nolan. Holt Under 13s Player's Player Of The Season, 2010/11.

Most Improved Player.
This award is decided by the coaches and is given to the player who has shown how over the course of the season his ability and skill level has developed. Congratulations to Tom Thirkettle, not only has Tom shown how he has developed but also his commitment to the club and team, Tom will always be there when asked and has shown great determination over the season to develop his game. Well done Tom, more of the same next season, please.

Tom Thirkettle. Holt Under 13s Most-Improved Player, 2010/11.

A former Holt mini - it could be you next

Dear all.

If you haven’t read this about Ben Youngs, click away or copy and paste.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1331481/The-making-gladiator-Sportsmail-examines-rise-Englands-bright-new-hope-Ben-Youngs.html

Diss Under 13s Festival. Blisters and sunburn.

 With the pitch baked as hard as concrete and the sun steaming down it felt more like a day for the beach than rugby. Across the whole festival and on both pitches it was notable that most of the boys were avoiding a full on tackle in order to lessen the chance of coming into contact with the ground, this was never going to encourage rugby to be played to its full potential. A shame as there were some good teams on display.

Game 1 v North Walsham

A nice easy game to start. A team keen to act out revenge for their defeat in the Norfolk Cup. It didn’t start well for Holt with Walsham looking far more awake and ‘up’ for the game. With these games only being 7 minutes a half it can be difficult to come back from a try scored. With Walsham scoring four in the first half it was nigh on impossible. Holt did actually win the second half, Simmo scoring a great try after Theo managed to flick the ball up in contact releasing Harry who managed to evade the desperate attempts to stop him. An improved performance all round in the second half but it was too little too late. Whether it was the weather or that Holt felt the season had ended on that glorious day at Scottow, who knows.

Game 2 v Colchester

A much better start with several of the Holt boys starting to find their feet, even if they were the same feet that required several plasters throughout the day and were certainly going to be sore by the end of the festival. Against the run of play Colchester scored first, Holt soon replied with a quick-thinking George Robson taking a line-out to a slightly surprised Simmo, who reacted well and managed to break through. 1-1 at half time, no conversions in this festival.

The second half continued to be a tight affair but Holt managed to get the decision after some strong work by the forwards sent Simmo through, who on being held up just short of the line managed to off-load to Jenks who came charging through. This is what can happen with support play. Being available on someone’s shoulder really changes the possibilities when an attack is launched BUT you have to be there. Final score Holt 2 – Colchester 1.

Game 3 v Diss.

A game that should have been Holt’s to win. A fair start with good scrummaging, Tommy T coming in the second row, releasing Jenks to the centres and Theo to flank. First blood to Holt, Callum showing some super speed after the Diss players had all been drawn in. This game was turning into a real tough match, Diss desperate to win to progress, Holt looking to make the most of their dominance throughout the game. Ally tackling for all he was worth, something that he does week in week out. Alexander taking the ball on and trying to smash through defences, Finn causing chaos, sometimes legally.  Diss however managed to score before the end of the first half to level the scores, with an overlapped move.

The second half continued to be a fairly ferocious affair, both sides giving as much as they got. Holt pinning Diss back in their 22, winning a penalty and kicking for touch. Diss were pushed back further and then somehow managed to turn the ball over, and from only 10 metres in front of their try-line they evaded every Holt player and scored in the opposite corner. Game over Diss 2 – Holt 1.

Game 4 v Saffron Waldon

Another game that Holt should have won. Saffron looked beatable but Holt seemed to make the basics harder than they needed to be. Lots of effort was being put in but the play was stuck in the middle of the pitch. Good hands all round but no penetration. The second half saw Saffron Waldon break through, a little jink by one of their players, running with the ball in two hands and the space opened up. My notes say ‘no tackle’. I’ll say no more. Holt did respond and were very close to going over with a driving maul but were held up 2metres short. Then the next thing everyone knew was that Saffron Waldon had broken away and scored a second try.  Callum managed to keep up his great scoring record, breaking after an awarded penalty. Game finished Saffron Waldon 2 – Holt 1.

Game 5 v Bury.

This Holt team have never lost to Bury and were reminded of the fact before the game. As a unit Holt hadn’t really done themselves justice at this festival and it was time to finish on a good note.

It was a tough game and fairly physical too. Simmo showed who was boss though, sniping from the base of a victorious Holt scrum. Bury then managed to equal the score before half time, somehow after Holt had won the scrum. However the Holt performance all round was much improved and although it was 1-1 at half time, this game was there for the winning.

The second half saw some of the Holt play we know and love. Strong, intensive and skillful. Perhaps we needed this physical contest earlier in the day to wake everybody up. The winning try was a moment of super skill, Callum took the ball from the kick-off, running full pelt at the Bury defence he then had the foresight, and even cheek, to chip the onrushing players, the bounce popping the ball straight back into his arms and there was no catching him. The second half continued to be a tight affair with much of the play in the middle of the pitch. Bury then launched a last attack down the line only for Jenks to cut across and tackle the player off the pitch. Holt won 2 – 1. A much better team performance all round and a good way to round up proceedings.

Two victories and three defeats. On another day, with more favourable conditions Holt would have, could have, easily turned those defeats into victories. However, it wasn’t to be, a tough day, strong competition, short games, solid ground and an unusually baking hot April sun. Whatever the result of the day, one thing hasn’t changed. Holt are still the holders of the 2011 Norfolk Cup.

Thank you to everyone for making the journey and especially to the Mums on the side who took a break from their pints of wine to go to Tescos for some much needed plasters and refreshments for the boys. Well done everyone.

This weeks collected up and washed ‘lost property’ amounts to two black long sleeved skins! Let me know if they are yours??

Kingswood 2011

This Sunday was the biggest Kingswood I have ever witnessed, there were over 750 players, add to that a huge number of adults and siblings, there must have been over 2,500 people there, at least.

The kitchens worked non-stop from 6am and were still serving at 4.30. There were 20 pitches, which all had to be marked out, roped off and coned in the morning. The bar and both kitchens had a constant queue. 

It was also good to see some of the older youth players refereeing as well. There was also First Aiders, Sweet Stalls, Cake Stalls, Roaming Ice Cream Sellers and Sean running around like a man possessed. I couldn’t possibly mention everybody but just wanted you all to know what a massive event this was and how lucky we are as a club to be able to put on a fixture like this, as the value to the club is unbelievable, on many fronts. Yes, it earns the club a really good revenue but it also exposes our players to a much higher level of rugby, everybody makes new friends and contacts are established for further fixtures and tours. Well done to all those who took part, I did manage to just see the end of under 12s final, which they won and congratulations also to Holt under 10s for winning their age group. 

There seemed to be happy players all round, whether you won, lost or drew. A great day was had by all. I also have added a few pics of some of the more interesting characters.

The real Norfolk Cup

And what a beauty it is. Standing 16inches high and already engraved with the 2011 winners Holt on the side, the first time Holt's name has appeared on it. Later this week it will be displayed at the club house in the trophy cabinet. Yes, we have a trophy cabinet and there's space for more.

Diss v Holt (03.04.2011)

Initial signs were not good. As Holt players were falling out of various cars after over an hour’s journey Diss were already going through their warm-up drills, looking the part. After a quick assessment of where we were light Diss very kindly lent us three players.

In situations like this you can excuse the boys for not trying and letting their heads go down but this just wasn’t the case on Sunday. Straight from the start it was obvious that every one of the Holt players was up for the game, prepared to put their heart and soul into the match. Diss were well organised, full of ability with plenty of dangerous players but for the first quarter of the game Holt were giving as good as they got.

Diss eventually made the breakthrough, a simple move involving a quick off-load in the tackle and the blue shirted player was through the line. However Holt were not to be downbeat and came back almost immediately with the first of two deserved tries for Alex, who was playing further in field than he normally does, getting much more involved. The Holt scrum were winning all of their put-ins and a few bonus ones against the head, very commendable and a great effort by all the forwards. This gave the platform for Harrison to deliver a clean, quick ball to Ally who could then make the decision to go or distribute, this first try coming from the base of the scrum out through Ally, then Caz to Alex who scored to make it Diss 7 Holt 5.

From the kick-off Holt were straight back into Diss’ territory and a second try was scored by Alex, who got clean through the home team’s defence. All made possible by the support Holt gave each other to allow Alex to break through. Diss, however, soon came back with a well-worked try just before half-time to make it Diss 12 Holt 10. This game could go either way.

The second half continued to be a very competitive and combatitive affair. Diss changed their three players they had lent us, so more new faces and names to get used to. Several times it looked like Holt were going to add to their score, Jenks making several breaks through the middle and Alexander, Ben and Theo working very hard to break through the Diss defence. There were times when closer support could have really made these probing attacks more potent, players need to make the breaks, spot the holes but they need someone on their shoulder to off-load to as soon as they come into contact, far too many times the runner got isolated and the move broke down.

The penalty count was also creeping up against Holt, mostly for offside. Although the ref had stated at the beginning you can go for the scrum-half as soon as he has two hands on the ball, you need to come from behind the back foot to do so. Just a little too keen on occasion. Several players gained valuable minutes on the pitch. Jali, playing in probably his second game for Holt gave a really good account of himself, getting stuck in and looking like he could get away at any minute with his deceptive speed. Miles playing at fullback without his shorts (duly awarded the turd for forgetting them) put in some very strong tackles and managed to join in from full-back. Fin playing at hooker, was given license to rampage, not that he needs any encouragement, so he rampaged.

Diss scored their third try of the game after some very good defensive work by Holt but after trying to kick the ball away the home team managed to re-align quicker than Holt, only just but enough to find a gap on the far side and by using the full width of the pitch scored to make it Diss 17 Holt 10. The Diss coaches on my side of the pitch were getting nervous as they could see a victory slipping away and just when it looked like Holt were going to get that all important try and level the score, Diss managed to have one last effort from a line-out and try as Holt did to get the attacking players off the pitch, they squeezed a final try in to make it Diss 22 Holt 10.

A very good game and both sets of coaches were very pleased with how their teams had faired. The referee even made the comment of what a good game it was and that there were some very good players on show. Praise indeed.

Turd of the week – Miles. No shorts. No comment.

Man Of The Match – Harrison. Great scrum-half play under extreme pressure from the opposition.

The Norfolk Cup Final.

Dramatic final kick of the game seals the victory.

What a game. What a performance. What a superb squad of players and what an
unbelievable set of supporters.

“Must be up there with best moments I have seen in sport, ever.”

“Still smiling whenever I think of it.”

“Unbelievable, it had everything.”

“A game of premiership quality.”

These are just some of the things being said after what was one of the most amazing games of rugby. Every single player, whether in the black and white of Holt or the green and white of North Walsham gave their all. If you were there you will remember it for a very long time, if you were part of the Holt under 13s squad you’ll never forget it.

Holt had been given just three key words to take out onto the pitch with them; Attack. Attack. Attack. And that’s exactly what they did, right from the very start. Walsham didn’t know what had hit them, from the bursting run of Callum to the first scrum, where they were back on their 5metre line. Holt pounded the Walsham defence and the only surprise was it took three attempts to get over the try line. Jack eventually getting his first of the match, proving a rock in the middle of the field, Holt’s secret weapon. Ally made the conversion, giving Holt a 7-0 lead.

Holt didn’t let up from the re-start, again looking to punch holes in a very resolute Walsham defence. There was a series of battles going on around the pitch, big tackles being made by both sides, no-one missing a tackle the entire game. Eventually Walsham managed to make a break and although they were dragged to the ground at every opportunity they did manage to just get in one final off-load to
one of their players, who broke away and scored under the posts. A conversion put the scores level at 7-7.

The game continued to to-and-fro, with Holt clearly showing no fear in any aspect of the game, taking on Walsham, dominating possession and territory. A couple of nice pie-charts would clearly have shown more black than green. Half-time was looming and after yet another Holt attack Walsham managed to emerge with the ball and score in the corner, this crucially wasn’t converted, score North  Walsham 12 - Holt 7. Players were tiring and the whistle was blown.

Harrison came on for an injured Robin, Caz for George B. Fin prowled the touchline, waiting his turn but George Robbo wasn’t finished yet. Holt started the second half as they had played the whole of the first half, totally putting Walsham on the back foot. Alex and Callum combining well. All the forwards driving, winning mauls and rucks, some superb tackling by both sides, the best by Alexander who took their playmaker off as if he had been hit by a bull, right under the noses of the Holt supporters. Lovely.

Injuries were starting to mount up as player after player went down, but no-one wanted to come off. Everyone was digging deep, very deep to find that last effort and just when the clock was starting to get perilously close to running down Holt launched what proved to be the decisive attack. Walsham were hanging on, Holt were knocking them back, closer and closer to their try line, the pack taking the ball closer and closer, the ball coming back to Holt and another dart to seal the victory by Ally, Simmo and Callum. Then it happened. Jack received the ball and the space appeared, the try was made and the scores were tied, 12-12. The secret weapon had delivered. There was only enough time for a conversion. Trouble was it was right on the wing, it needed a left-footed kicker and it was a very long way out. The crowd hushed, Simmo steadied himself, took the kick, everything went in slow motion, it really did. The ball kept straight and true but was running out of steam and was dipping closer and closer towards the crossbar. Would it make it, had it made it? Two flags went up from the touch judges and the crowd went wild, really wild, absolutely mad. Hugs, kisses, jumping for joy and even a pitch invasion. Absolutely brilliant. Holt had won by 14 points to 12.

The squad.
Rugby is a team game and more than that, it’s a squad game and every member of the Holt under 13’s played their part in the eventual victory, bearing mind we did beat Norwich and Diss to get this far. So even if you didn’t get onto the pitch in the final, you should all be very, very proud of yourselves. Thank you everyone, the extra training, the Sunday morning hard work, it all paid off.

The supporters.
The sixteenth man. Every single one of you who cheered, shouted yourself hoarse, roared and screamed, deserve a massive pat on the back and huge thank you from all the players and coaches of this squad. It was just as exhausting watching as playing. You really made a difference, not only did Holt dominate on the pitch, they dominated off the pitch too. Superb.

Friday night.
There were doubtless many different aspects as to why Holt won this game and one of the biggest was the ‘team’ effort and I don’t mean those just wearing the shirts. Friday night was a perfect example of what a great group of players and families we are blessed with. Mel and Rob hosted a real feast and over 70 of you turning up, contributing and managing to drink the bar dry, especially the wine drinkers, you know who you are. Keep up the good work.

Man of the match
To pick one person out when every player had given their all, putting their bodies on the line was very difficult. However, with both the Holt tries to his name Jack showed his true value to this side. Well done.

Turd of the week.
Someone had to win it. No-one deserved it but Harry took it on the chin for having to use his left-foot to score that, by now, legendary conversion.

Winning in the bar.
Not only did we win on the pitch and by the side of the pitch, we also were the last standing (sort of) in the bar. Walsham having left us to the celebrations. Boy, what a day.