Holt v West Norfolk 02.02.14

The boys striding out with purpose. Rob striding out.

Sunday was one of those sunny, blustery days of which AA Milne used to write. The club decided that the match should be played on the 2nd XV pitch - a good plan as the first pitch looked a little like Ypres after 60 hours of allied shelling. Holt turned out with a match squad of 18 and pre-match training was a full 90 minutes and - most unusually - it looked as though we meant it. West Norfolk has come with their 5 Eastern counties players and it was Norfolk Cup Semi-Final day.

Top lifting. And great line-out all day.

Speedy gonzales looks to get away. Alex looks to keep up.

West Kicked off and Theo caught, beat a couple of tackles and made 15 metres.  Great start from Holt. Both sides showed commitment from the start. The game ebbed and flowed mainly between the two ten metre lines, tremendous tackling and hard running on show. From very early it was clear our scrum had the upper hand in the set piece - some good turnovers at line out time but in the set scrum we were magnificent.  All four lads who played in our from row - George, Robin, Dean and Alexander - gave West a torrid time all match.  Several scrums were won against the head and I lost count of the number of times the scrum had to be re-set because we had pushed them back over 1.5m. Incredible, as I reckon we were conceding at least a stone per man.

Lower than the rest. Technique over size winning the day.

Front row dominance. Who says the pretty ones are in the backs?

Our put in, your put in. Our shove. Our ball.

West were playing with the wind in the first half and made good use of the kicking game.  For the first 30 minutes there was no score, but some terrific tackling from Holt kept them out - a try saving tackle from Ali near our line sticks in the memory. Matti and Callum were very strong in defence in midfield and the back row of Jenks, Oli B and Jacko made hits, won turn overs and generally harassed the West half backs. Eventually the big no12 from West got up a head of steam and crashed over after some fine play through the phases. 5-0 West. After such resolute defence, conceding on the half hour was a big test of character for our lads.  Would they fold and the floodgates open?  Not a bit of it.  From the kick off we rampaging into the West 22 for the first time all game, repeatedly going close to scoring until West were pinged for killing it 5 metres from their line. Ali took a quick one, passed to Jacko who, instead of putting his head down and charging, nearly threw a dummy. West defence was so surprised he crossed the whitewash to touch down unopposed. 5-5.

This is not a still picture but a quicktime movie. Notice how slow it plays. Amazing.

Just a slight difference in size. Titus gets away.

West stormed back from the kick off and desperate Holt defence kept them out. Robin and Oli B contested vigorously for the ball and Alec on the right wing made at least two full throttle try saving tackles. Alexander was immense. Eventually our back row nicked it and Ali cleared to touch.  Half time had arrived.

Jenks into the fray. Well, into the West players.

Some might say he is the most versatile player in the team.
All we know is wherever Shed plays he makes time stand still.

Ally steps up to the mark.
Well, I say steps but looks more like a mince.

Half time team talks. West and Holt side by side. Just look at the size difference.

The intensity did not let up in the second half. Titus had departed fairly early in proceedings in the first half with a twisted ankle, meaning Shed had to step in as scrum half.  How versatile is he?  Fullback, No.8, scrum half and able to slow down time. In any case Titus returned to the fray for the second half and was soon into the action. breaking round the fringes and trying to hand off the West Second Row who is 6'5", weighs in at 17 stone and has just been selected for Leicester Academy. The could only be one ending to this confrontation and Titus duly sailed through the air, but only after putting up a terrific fight. The set scrum was dominant and we were knocking them over round the fringes and in midfield.  Then disaster struck - the first missed tackle and West's winger ran in from half way to score under the posts. 12-5 West. From the kick off West again broke free and only a tremendous covering tackle by Matti prevented another score.  Holt were galvanised into action and Oli B, Jenks and Ali made good ground up the middle of the park. We drove into West's 22 and were turned over. West charged forward.  Jacko ripped the ball off the West flanker, passed to Ali who slipped it to the blur that is Callum.  He scorched up the touchline to score in the corner! 12-10 West, with about 15 minutes to go.

"What me officer?"

Rolly polly time.
Either that or the result of another one of Alec's try stopping head on tackles.

The ecstatic crowd eagerly watch on, barely able to control themselves.

What a contest ensued. Dean came on for Robin at Hooker and Sam Crafer slotted into the blindside berth, with Tommy T taking a breather. Holt were on the attack, repeatedly battering the West defence. We were turned over again, groan, but almost a carbon copy of events leading to Holt's second try ensued. Jacko ripped and Callum scored in the corner! 15-12 Holt. 

10 minutes left. Astonishing resilience by our lads who all looked to be playing 2 years up in terms of relative size.

Nabil makes a break.

Alex and Jenks try to stretch on of the West players.

One of the West players meets a wall of Holt.

The story of the last 10 minutes was painful and should serve as an object lesson.  West took a quick kick off, their winger gathered totally unopposed on the 10 metre line and scored direct from the kick off. Holt had relaxed, with fatal consequences. 17-15 West. This was a mortal blow to our morale and unfortunately West scored two more tries to earn a highly flattering 31-15 victory.

Slightly one-sided line out. Which Holt were dominant all morning.

Hair in place. Check. Ball tucked under arm. Check. About to be caught by West. err, probably not checked...

Slightly over the vertical... fortunately he was put down safe and sound.

It takes two. Or sometimes more to stop Callum, if you can catch him first.

Heads were down at the end.  Holt gave it their all and came up short, due principally to a lapse in concentration. it was a very painful lesson that you do not win matches after 70 minutes. Nevertheless, it had been a titanic game and the elation showed by West at the end demonstrates that Holt gave them a real scare.

Holt MEN of the match. The four who played in the front row. Awesome.

And they won the post-match drink off.
Just orange juice, obviously, these boys (men..) are athletes.

Men of the match for Holt - the four lads who played in the front row.  George had 5 different opponents at set scrum time. Says it all.

A big thank you, post-match, to Jimmy Gray for being our sponsor for this and next season.
The boys did him proud, really showed Jimmy and Carol how good this age group is and what potential they have over the next few years to go on and represent Holt RFC.

A big thank you to Geoff Webster for providing the wonderful prose and Amelia Ghanbouri for the gorgeous pics. 

Holt v Fakenham 12.01.14

 

All smiles. And mud.

Scribe: Geoff Webster.
Paparazzi: Amelia Ghanbouri. 

Sunday dawned in the usual manner. The sun came up, boys were stirred from their slumbers by depressingly cheerful parents and breakfast passed in monastic silence. But this was no ordinary day. This was Norfolk Cup day and Fakenham were lying in wait in their lair with home advantage and a high degree of optimism that this time they would prevail. Gradually the Holt team trickled into Fakenham rugby club and despite Tommy running out of fingers a quick count showed we had a match squad of 18! It was good to see Dean in particular return from injury.

Game face on.

The day was still, sunny and bright, although the pitch at 9.45 was rock hard and icy. It gradually thawed out and to the seasoned campaigners on the touch line pre-match training looked to be taken more seriously than usual. I distinctly saw George running a couple of times during the fitness session and even Shed shuffled into a trot.

Fakenham pushing to the line. Holt laying on the floor.

Very good height by Fakenham.

Well set scrum. Shed looks on in awe.

Theo takes the ball from the re-start. His hair follows shortly afterwards.

Anticipation or just plain knackered?

The match kicked off at 11.30 by which time the pitch had thawed to the consistency of wood - an improvement on the concrete of 9.45. Fakenham kicked off and from the first minute it was clear they were up for it. The first 10 minutes in fact were all Fakenham. It quickly became apparent that they would be playing a 10 man rolling maul sort of game. Fakenham scored after 10 minutes in the corner after good driving play from their forwards. Holt had to this point not been in the Fakenham half and anxious looks were exchanged on the touch line. We were being bullied up front, despite the best efforts of our pack. 5-0 Fakenham.

What all the fighting was over.

We kicked off and Ali won the ball by ripping it off their number 8. This good play was marred by a Holt high tackle and Fakenham attacked again, driving deep into our 22. Things looked bad. Another score from Fakenham at this point, one felt, would be hard to recover from. Then in the blink of an eye the game changed. Jacko won a turnover ball, quick hands shipped it to Callum and he went the length of the field. You could see the Fakenham heads go down - oh no, not this again. 7-5 Holt.  It was interesting to observe the differences in approach. Holt played fast, attractive 15 man rugby looking to spread the ball wide and bring the fast men into play. Fakenham were like England of old, grinding forwards with skill no doubt but it was not the Holt way.

Ollie and Robin looking very clean. This look didn't last long.

The game entered a very tight phase where good Holt ball winning was somewhat undermined by poor ball retention and the concession of several penalties. Eventually Fakenham broke the deadlock, scoring near the posts. 12-7 Fakenham. Holt replied rapidly, Shed at scrum half breaking clear of the Fakenham forwards, passing to Jacko who beat the large Fakenham second row for pace and scored in the corner. 12-12.

Robin robbing.

Durban dodging.

Storey stalling.

The physicality of the contest grew ever more intense, both teams making tackles and demonstrating strong commitment with ball in hands. Great to see Matti back making a couple of huge hits on the Fakenham inside centre. Eventually Jenks broke clear and Callum scored again. 19-12 Holt. Holt started to gain the upper hand, the ball flowing well between forwards and backs. Half time and the feeling on the touch line was that Holt were on top but would need to retain composure to finish first.

'My ball. leave me alone'.

Shed. The boy who can slow down time.

 The second half kicked off and it was immediately clear both sets of boys were really up for the challenge. Fakenham hacked through and Theo outpaced a centre to get back, fall on the ball and win a critical penalty enabling Ali to clear the lines. The Holt back row won turn over ball increasingly and finally Holt were starting to retain the ball better and punish the Fakenham defence. The first score of the second half came from a Fakenham kick, a miraculous catch by Caz off his toes, a jinking run up the left touch line and a perfectly timed pass to Shed, whose unique running style caused the Fakenham defence to pause long enough for him to touch down in glorious slow motion. 24-12 Holt. Fakenham were not done yet. They attacked with vigour, Holt held them up over our line, Jack dislocated a finger and popped it back in himself, earning the team a 5 minute breather for strapping to be applied. Eventually pressure paid and Fakenham scored a deserved try near the posts. 24-19 with 10 minutes left. One felt the next score either way might be decisive and it went to Holt. Theo recovered the ball from our kick off, the ball went through several pairs of hands and eventually Alex crashed over. He had a great game all round at full back. Sam Crafer, Ben Corney and Deano all came on during the second half for Robin, Oli B and Tommy T and all made valuable contributions. Sam caught a kick off deep in his 22 and made great ground up to the 10 metre line. Eventually Callum scored again after a well timed pass from Matti. The score was now 36-19 and Fakenham's spirit was finally broken.

Nice make-up Matti.

Billy Whizz about to go...

The final whistle followed soon after. It had been a brutal, committed and at times excellent encounter. Holt were transformed from the side that turned out against Ipswich. It had been a famous win. West Norfolk in the semis await.

The smiles say it all.

Man Of The Match: Jacko.

Fakenham captain awarded man of the match for Holt to Jacko, who looked like a number 7 should after a tough game - stud marks on his face, strapped up finger and covered in mud.
No turd awarded this day.

Ipswich v Holt 05.01.14

Words by Holt's top pitchside reporter: Geoff Webster.
Pictures by Sheringham's top snapper: Amelia Ghanbouri.

Scenic.

Last Sunday was a lovely sunny day: cold, crisp, terrific conditions for the first match back after the Christmas break. Parents and boys have a different idea as to what constitutes a beautiful day - my eulogising on the sun, sky and generally beauty of the world in the car on the way to Ipswich was met by stony silence from the the three lads in the back. In fact I do not think any of them uttered a single word all the way down the A140, that masterpiece of engineering and logistical planning.

Ipswich find the golden egg.

Never mind, I reasoned, usual Holt Rugby early morning phobia. Training before the game was also distinctly lacklustre. Again, quite usual. We fielded a full team and it is fair to say expectations on the touch line were high after our dismantling of Ipswich at Holt in early December.

Looking to spring out of the blocks. Not.

We kicked off with aplomb. The first few minutes were pretty even, neither side gaining the upper hand. Then Ipswich made a line break and Simmo made a fantastic cover tackle in the corner to prevent the score. Good work undone by a charged down kick from the resultant line out. 7-0 Ipswich. Ipswich then scored from the restart - Holt defence was nowhere.  14-0. Things were beginning to look grim. Holt then momentarily woke up, good hands saw Alex Storey stopped just short and Simmo sniped over for a poacher's try. 14-5.  Holt's awakening was fleeting - Harry Jenks received a yellow card for talking back to the ref not once but twice. Having spoken to Harry afterwards, if you are going to get sent off for back chat, make it worthwhile. "No I was not" feels a bit weak and way too polite.

Contrasting styles of line-out.

The three amigos.

Ipswich then scored 2 more tries helped by poor Holt commitment to the tackle and Holt being down to 14 men. Jenks reappeared from purgatory just before half time. Jacko made a good cover tackle, Holt won the ball and Alex scored in the corner. Half time 26-10.

Shed gets his collar felt.

 A different Holt emerged from the huddle at the start of the second half. Commitment and defence were transformed. The forwards played with vim and Callum scorched away to score early doors. 26-15. The Holt back row then stole an Ipswich ball in our 22, Callum received in space and ran the length of the pitch to score near the posts. He kept his breakfast down too, although that looked a little touch and go. 26-22 with 18 minutes left - it felt like we had them on the ropes.

'Look at my eyes, my eyes, look at my eyes'.

Scrimmage.

Catch me if you can. Shed and his amazing burst of speed.

Ipswich then recovered somewhat from the onslaught and pressured our line. Resolute defence kept them out and after a clearance kick Simmo made a fast break down the blindside into the Ipswich 22. IT looked like another Holt try was on the cards when Simmo fell awkwardly and badly hurt his knee. It was a freak accident and we all wish him well for a speedy recovery. The game was stopped for 30 minutes while Simmo was tended to by ambulance crew.

Before.

After.

The injury not surprisingly took the edge off the rest of the game - final score Ipswich 38 Holt 22.
 
Turd of the game - Jenkins for the most polite carding I have seen.
Man of the match - Robin - carried well, hooked well and made some good tackles.

Next week it's Fakenham in the cup. Let's hope Ipswich got the Christmas gremlins out of our systems lads!