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.

Norfolk 10's

Welcome back everyone to my ramblings and recollections of Sunday mornings. Just think only eight more months of no Sunday lay-ins, burgers for Sunday lunch and enjoying the gorgeous English weather over the winter months.

Last Sunday saw our first competitive fixture of the season. Well, 30 minutes of competitive rugby spread evenly over 3 hours. Not ideal but then again we won every game and beat our rivals, so mustn't grumble.

The scores and try scorers are below:
North Walsham 1 - Holt 3
Holt try scorers; Callum x2, Simmo x1.

West Norfolk 2 - Holt 3
Holt try scorers; Simmo x1, Callum x2 .

Wymondham 2 - Holt 3
Holt try scorers; Matti x1, Callum x1, Simmo x1.

Having a chat with the ref.

Come on everybody, hands on hips.

"What, we've got to wait another hour for a 10 minute game?"

Discussing the soon to be completely pointless schedule.

"look, I'll show you all how to pose, watch me."

"There, see, that's how to do it."

Happy players, just after beating all their local rivals.

Holt v Long Buckby (touring team)

After all the fun and games of Morocco it was good to see so many Holt boys ready for their last game of the season. They may have been there in body but most of their heads were elsewhere in a fixture against a team we knew nothing about, apart from the fact that they had come to Norfolk on their u14s tour.

Photography this week by guest snapper, Lynette Briscoe.

Nice pic Lynette but we were playing at the other end of the pitch

The match started fairly evenly as both teams settled into the game, working out strengths and weaknesses. Long Buckby were a good competitive side with some outstanding players, especially in their pink and black touring kit, nice. Holt eventually got going with Simmo making a break and carving a hole through the visitors defence. The conversion was missed.

The second try for Holt came after the home team took a quick penalty, then Holt gained a further 10 metres for Long Buckby not retreating. The subsequent set-piece worked really well and the decoy runners drawing the defence and Alex Storey breaking through to score. Again the conversion was missed.

Nice shirts

The game then entered a scrappy phase, with several knock-ons, the result of some great tackling by both sides, Theo, Jack and Alexander not letting anyone through, there was also a series of scrums, which unfortunately disrupted the flow of the game. Jack Webster finished the half off with a great try after slipping a couple of tackles and going over. Giving Holt a 15:0 advantage at half time.

No Fin, I'm fine, you just come along when you're ready.

Ten changes were made at half-time. As promised everybody was going to get at least half a game, although it's always nice to win, it is also important to give everybody as much pitch time as possible and a fixture like this is the perfect opportunity to look at different combinations. Winning isn't everything. The tourists kept pretty much the same team, making only a few changes and although Holt held their own it took a break by one of Buckby's stand-out players down the wing, dodging the tackles to give them a much rejoiced try. No conversion added. Buckby added another soon after the re-start, this one they converted and the scores were Holt 15 : Long Buckby 12.

Why's no-one cuddling me?

It was getting tight and Holt responded with some very determined tackling, especially by Gabriel, Harrison and Robin. Alexander took a short line-out and drove up the pitch only to be held up by a committed defence, it was getting harder to break through. All this pressure then gave Buckby space to work in and after a series of fumbles by both sides and indecision all round, the ball came out to the visitors who took the lead.

Crunch

Holt looked to up their game and to their credit kept going to the end, Jali and Robin combining well. Sam and Caz setting up the opportunities. Shed at eight looking to make some breaks but it was becoming more compressed and whenever the ball came out wide a defender seemed to be there to break the move down. Buckby added a further try and although Holt kept going they couldn't quite break through. The final five to ten minutes was played with Holt pushing the tourists further and further back but they held on as Holt were breaking into their twentytwo. Final score Holt 15 : Long Buckby 23ish.

Just look at the determination on Robin's face.

The game was played in good spirit and Long Buckby really enjoyed their visit to Norfolk and especially Holt. They were very impressed with our setting, facilities and the amount of pitches we have, something we can easily take for granted. Ben was presented with a pennant and tie. At the end of the day, Rugby was the winner.

Man of the match chosen by the Long Buckby Coach: Alexander. As usual he gave it his all.
Turd of the week: Theo. Only because I am the muggins who took the shirts away to decontaminate them for next season.

Southwold v Holt (01.04.12)

Ahhh, Southwold. So bracing. So far away. So thank you to all those that made the journey.

Somehow we managed to put a team together, not bad considering we only had one regular front row player and a completely different set-up in the centres. Southwold were suffering from a similar lack of players, with numbers away and injured. The most important thing was we were there to honour the return fixture.

Team talk, talk.

The game soon got underway and although possession and field position were very even, with Holt in fact pushing the home team back, it was Southwold who made the first successful break from a ruck won after it looked like a hand was doing more than it should it on the blind side. The try wasn't converted with the wind blowing off the sea making kicking unpredictable all morning.

We'll make a front player of you yet, Robin.

After a game effort by Robin at prop, Harrison hooking and George propping on the loose side, the scrums had to go uncontested. Safety first and foremost. No doubt the uncontested scrums affected the next move from Southwold as they 'won' the scrum, came round the open side and went through a completely and strangely static Holt team. A common occurrence in uncontested games when the pressure of a scrum is taken out of a game. Lesson learnt. This try was converted and it was Southwold 12 : Holt 0. Half time.

A sunny day in Southwold. Yes, we were surprised too.

The second started with Holt playing up the slope and Southwold were looking to pin Holt back in their half. Some great defensive work by Holt kept the home team out until a kick to touch bounced just right for the Southwold winger who stepped the onrushing defender and went over. No conversion. Southwold 17 : Holt 0.

Getting stuck in.

Holt then started to up their game and some great work by several players was paying dividends. Jack W springing out of his blocks at every opportunity, Gabriel always looking to connect and break through, Sam working hard at scrum half to set things up, Jamie either making breaks or supporting the runner, Alex smashing into everybody. A series of successive penalties put Holt up to the Southwold 5metre line Theo trying to burst through three times in a row but their defence held out with the ball being held up on the line. Just. 

Driven over but no grounding, cruel.

It took a superb Simmo solo run to get Holt on the scoreboard, coming from the middle of the pitch and seemingly going sideways but always having an eye on making a hole in the defence, which he eventually did, scoring in the corner. The conversion was close but not close enough. Southwold 17 : Holt 5.

May contain nuts.

Sam then took one for the team and another team juggle was required with Alastair coming on for the first time in weeks. Southwold made the most of the re-shuffle and drove over shortly afterwards. Then followed a period when just as Holt were looking to get back in the game Southwold made the most of opportunities that came their way and scored a couple of quick tries to make the score look more convincing than perhaps it should have. The final score was Southwold 36 : Holt 5. But considering the situation with many players away and others out of position the positives must outway the disappointment. The game was played in good heart and as ever Southwold were great hosts and indeed worthy winners on this occasion.

Men of the match: Robin and Harrison. Props for the day, well stuck at it boys.
Turd of the week: Jamie. For far too many reasons to mention here.

Holt v Fakenham (18.03.12)

A game with our nearest neighbours is always a competitive affair and this 'friendly' fixture was as usual, a well contested game.

Holt started well, pushing Fakenham back and with good distribution almost scored very early on, a strong tackle by Fakenham taking the Holt winger out and the corner post at the same time. It wasn't long before Holt got the first try and something of a recent rarity being scored by the forwards, to be fair they had three cracks at it, first George, then Jerry and finally Alexander drove over. No conversion. Holt 5 : Fakenham 0.

There is a ball in there somewhere, promise.

After a messy re-start by Holt in difficult conditions the ball miraculously appeared on the Holt side, not only that but in Jack W's hands and he was off, unfortunately no-one appeared to have seen him go, so support was slow to get to him. Eventually everyone caught up and Caz got the ball to Matti who spun and burst through to score under the posts, this one was converted and the score was Holt 12 : Fakenham 0. Then followed a period of phases by both teams, a game with more than the usual fumbles, not surprising as it was raining all morning and the slippery conditions certainly weren't helping either team play any champagne rugby. Fakenham benefited from one of these instances after a sustained period of pressure, which Holt looked to have managed to control, holding the visitors back on the line, until a loose ball gave Fakenham an easy scoring opportunity, which they took and converted. Half time: Holt 12 : Fakenham 7.

Ladder please.

Multiple changes were made at half time to give everybody as much rugby as possible. With over 30 players now, Holt are in a very fortunate position with plenty of players able to push for a starting position. Fakenham had only the 17 or 18 odd players, so pretty much stayed the same. The game re-started and it wasn't long before Fakenham closed the gap with a try in the corner, the conversion was missed. Holt 12 : Fakenham 12.

An early entry for this year's Turner Prize. Thanks for  taking the pics Ben. Hopefully you'll be back on the field next time.

Holt responded with a typical Simmo break, this time supported by another new recruit, Freddie, who was not only making his debut for Holt but against his former club. A pupil at Reepham, with several of the other Holt players and now having decided football is for the girls, he has seen the light and hopefully will continue to appear at Holt. Alex finished off the move that Simmo had started with Freddie securing the ruck and Alex scored in the corner. The conversion was missed and the scores were: Holt 17 : Fakenham 12.

Obviously it's very unsporting to criticise refs but come on...

Fakenham took a very deep re-start which forced Holt back to defend and before the ball could be secured and cleared the visitors drove over and crucially the try was converted giving Fakenham the lead, one which they held until the end of the game. Although Holt very nearly managed to sneak a win after Harrison 'took one for the team' from the re-start, straight in the belly. Theo drove on and Matti took the ball up the wing but it wasn't to be. Fakenham had won by two points. A good game played in good spirits and well contested.

Caz. Man of the match

Man of the match. Caz, more than ably stepping into Ally's boots at 10, another very good performance, showing great decision making and distribution. Top work.

Turd of the week. Not such a difficult one this, as anyone watching will have seen Holt were sporting the senior team reserve shirts. Somebody left our ones at home. Congratulations Rob. Wear it with pride.

North Walsham v Holt 04.03.12 (Norfolk Cup Semi-Final)

After last year's dramatic final this was always going to be a tough fixture. Okay, so we didn't win this time but there were a lot of positives to take from the game. Total commitment by all those involved, a great turn-out even though we could only play 15 plus 6 subs and more importantly nobody gave up until the very end.

'Watch and learn Matti, see how much more control I have with my mouth open'

Holt started well, a good deep kick by Callum putting Walsham on the back foot, created exactly the sort of pressure that had been discussed prior to the kick-off. Some excellent scrummaging gave Sam and Simmo the opportunity to put Callum and Matti away but with some very determined tackling Walsham always managed to just make that last tackle. Ollie B showed some super aggressive tackling from No.8 and was giving as much as he got. Harrison and Jack getting well and truly stuck in. But the pressure began to tell and Holt were driven ever further backwards and after a period of sustained pressure Walsham managed to get through to score their first try, which was converted.

'Crazy-horse' Boldero looking for his next victim.

Holt then showed how well they can play being much more dominant and fighting for every ball, Ben and Theo having to do a lot of unseen work. Walsham were always looking to counter-attack and almost made it through but they hadn't bargained for a super cover tackle by Callum. Walsham came again and this time crossed the line but the player manged to drop the ball over the line, something the refereeing team of four did see. Alex Storey also held up another try on the line, showing great awareness and strength.

Alex being supported by Harry 'no-neck' Simmo.

However, Walsham did manage to add another converted try before the end of the half but Holt made sure the home team had to work their socks off for for every ball, pushing the opposition all the way. Half time: North Walsham 14 : Holt 0.

Crafer to Simmo, aah, the good old days, eh Charlie, Mark?

The start to the second half was a messy old affair, not helped by the ever increasing rain, injuries and replacements settling in. As hard as Holt tried, and tried hard they did, with Gabriel making some strong runs supporting Callum, Matti always looking to twist and turn through, Simmo trying to work a move, Walsham just seemed to make that last tackle. To be fair the home team's rucking was very good giving them the opportunity to get away. It was one of these opportunities that Walsham scored their third converted try, breaking away and slipping through. Further changes were made to Holt, Jerry had hurt his shoulder, this meant a switch in the front row with George R propping and Robin coming back to hook, something he did very well. Everyone who came on got stuck in from the start, something that is great to see. Holt so nearly got through, Jamie on one side and Caz on the other, both supported well by runners. A great move down the right wing was halted after a high tackle to Caz, Walsham were really on their back-foot, Holt at the time progressing into the opposition twentytwo. Amazingly the decision was reversed, everyone conceded that Caz had high-tackled himself. There is no other explanation.

Caz, before he high-tackled himself.

Walsham scored a fourth try, this one not converted and the final score was: North Walsham 26 : Holt 0. We all agreed afterwards that it was Walham's turn this year, it is only fair to share, next year though...

A hose was required.

Holt should be very proud of the way they competed in this fixture, a tough game, a tough opposition but they gave a really good account of themselves until the final whistle, every single one of them.

A lovely day for rugby!

Man of the match: No individual, just the whole squad!
Turd of the week: Simples. Dean for forgetting to take the shirts home last week after getting the turd.