Holt RFC 29 - West Norfolk RFC 15

In near perfect rugby conditions Holt took on West Norfolk on Saturday contesting for the Maule Cubitt Cup. Holts tight five put a line in the sand with the first scrum of the game driving their West Norfolk counterparts back over their own line for number eight Graham Ilsley to claim the touchdown. It was one way traffic for most of the first half with pacey Stu Robson adding his name to the score sheet after rounding the defence to score in the corner. Following another series of attacking scrums flyhalf Iain Young touched down after good pressure applied by the pack. West came back with a penalty neatly converted by fullback Monty Maule. Holt then responded with the try of the game following a lineout taken well by man of the match Ash Woods at the back of the lineout, the ball was moved to Young who drew the defence to then send Tim Allen back on a raking line cutting the West cover before spinning the ball wide to Matt Jary Ryan to gallop in unopposed.

In the second half changes were made to both Holt and West Norfolks teams giving the coaches a chance to see a number of different players. West Norfolk started to get back into the game inspired by fullback Monty Maule who made a fantastic break down field stepping his way round at least three Holt players to then feed his winger to go over in the corner. The game was getting a little scrappy and following a dispute Holts backrow Edward Rogers was sent to the bin. Following another good attack from West, Sean Brundle scored a well taken try after splitting the Holt defence with a powerful charge up the right wing. Holt were not to give up though and answered West’s try with one of their own when number eight Richard Justice picked from the base and powered over to score under the posts giving Timothy Allen the easiest of conversions. “I was very happy with the first half where I thought we controlled and dictated the game very well in all phases, the second half got a little loose and we were dropping off tackles which is something we will have to address before the league kicks off in a fortnight” said coach Penny Chapman.

                                                                 Holt 37 Newmarket 19

Yesterday Holt opened their campaign in London 3 NE against old rivals Newmarket, whom they had not played for two seasons, after their opponents gained promotion from Eastern Counties One the season before last. Then Holt had lost both games and would be looking to put matters right. The day was warm, with quite a firm breeze blowing across the pitch and underfoot it was hard, but with a well grassed pitch. Conditions, which would suit Holt’s running game. Holt applied early pressure, but were unable to gain any points, although a penalty chance did go begging. Newmarket gradually got themselves into the game and good defence by the home side kept them at bay, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring after fifteen minutes following a driving maul to gain the lead at 0-5. This, however was short lived, as two minutes later Young made a break and fed Graham Ilsley, who ran in from the ten metre line to score an equalising  unconverted try. Following this, Holt kept up the pressure and after twenty minutes Such scored a well taken try, increasing the lead to 10-5. Both sides were playing good open rugby with possession being equally shared, but it was the visitors who scored the next try, following good possession after thirty-five minutes. With the conversion, Holt were trailing 10-12 with half-time approaching, but matters were put to rights when Van Poortvliet scored on the stroke of the break from a driving maul and with Graham Ilsley adding the conversion points, Holt enjoyed a half-time lead of 17-12.

 Holt began the second half where they left off from the first in a positive mood and after three minutes, Graham Ilsley scored his second try following a break through the centre to increase the lead to 22-12. This was Holt’s fourth try, earning them a bonus point. Despite this early set back, Newmarket showed they could be dangerous on the counter attack and were rewarded with a converted try after sixteen minutes to narrow Holt’s lead to 22-19. The next few minutes saw Holt’s defence being put to the test, but it was equal to the occasion and held out. The game was then taken back into Newmarket’s half and after thirty minutes, No 8 Justice scored from a five-metre scrum, increasing the lead to a healthier 27-19. This addition to Holt’s try tally inspired them to dominate the final stages of the game and Ben Girling made a typical scrum half’s break from a line-out to score a well taken try making the game safe for his side, with a lead of 32-19. Two minutes later following some good interpassing between Such and Graham Ilsley, the latter scored his third try of the match to seal a fine win for Holt by 37-19 and had the conversions been on target with six of the seven tries scored, the margin would have been healthier. Nevertheless a very good performance in their first league game at this level. Next Saturday, Holt make the short trip to play Norwich in what could be an intriguing game as it is probably the first time they have played them at this level. Holt’s thirds team pulled off a commendable win against Lowestoft & Yarmouth’s second team 29-22 in their merit table match.

                                                  Holt 25 Norwich 5

     To-day Holt made the short journey to play Norwich for the first time at league level and would be looking carry on from their success last week in the opening league game. The weather was showery, with a firm breeze blowing down the pitch, which was dry and firm, lending itself to Holt’s style of play. Holt played with the breeze behind their backs for the first half and made early inroads into the Norwich half with positive play. Although a penalty was missed after six minutes, Young quickly atoned for this two minutes later, giving his side a deserved 3-0 lead. Norwich came back at their visitors and had the opportunity to level the scores with a penalty, which was off target. This escape put Holt back onto the attack, but any chances were spoilt by conceding penalties. However the persistence paid off after twenty minutes when Young extended the lead to 6-0 when Norwich had been penalised and had a player Yellow carded. Whenever the home side tried to test Holt, their efforts came to nothing, coming up against a solid defence. The home side again fell foul of the referee and had another player Yellow carded and two minutes later, after thirty four minutes, Justice finished off a good passing move, by scoring an unconverted try, increasing the lead to 11-0, with half-time approaching. There was no further scoring in the half and Holt turned round holding a deserved lead.

      The visitors knew they would be against the wind in the second half, but this did not affect their play as they were quickly onto the attack, with Robson making ground on his wing. Justice then featured in another attack, but the score would not come. Then after twenty-two minutes, Holt lost possession and Norwich were quickly onto the mistake and ran in an unconverted try from seventy metres, narrowing the score line to 11-5. This was quickly rectified when Woods made ground and Young finished off the move and by converting his try, increased Holt’s lead to 18-5. For the next ten minutes the home side put the visitor’s defence under pressure, but could not penetrate it. When it looked odds on a Norwich score following a quickly taken penalty, Graham Ilsley intercepted what could have been a scoring pass and ran the length of the field to score under the posts. With the conversion a formality for Young, the visitor’s lead stood at a healthy 25-5. This killer blow happened with six minutes of play remaining and although Norwich still came back on the attack, they achieved nothing against a stubborn defence. With the final whistle, Holt emerged worthy winners, having spent large parts of the game in their opponent’s half and with a second league win at this level, the signs are looking encouraging for this lively side. But nothing must be taken for granted and next Saturday Holt are at home to Upminster, who provide new opposition and who have won one and lost one game so far in the league campaign.

                                                                Holt 31 Upminster 25

    Upminster were the visitors to High Kelling yesterday for the first time in several years, when they and Holt had been in the same league. Therefore they would be an unknown quantity, although they had already one won and lost one game to date. The weather was fine, with a little breeze and the firm again, very firm, lending itself to a good open game. Holt applied the usual early pressure and should have scored, but allowed Upminster to clear their lines. They then put Holt under pressure and following a mistake by the home side, the visitors were quick to show their ability by scoring a converted try after seven minutes to lead 0-7. Holt could not break down determined play by their visitors, whose backs shown flair with positive running and it was of no surprise when they extended their lead through a penalty to 0-10 after ten minutes. The home side gradually got themselves back into contention and had a drive held up over the line. The game was still going from half to half, but then Upminster had a player Yellow carded and Holt made use of this, following a five metre scrum, Girling put Jarry-Ryan in for an unconverted try, reducing the deficit to 5-10. This reversal inspired Upminster to get into a higher gear by taking the game to Holt and they were rewarded after thirty-four minutes with an unconverted try, increasing their lead to 5-15. Holt then had to defend their line for the rest of the half, but with no further scoring. Upminster had certainly showed their ability for the majority of the half and deserved their half-time lead.

      Holt knew they would have to improve their game to reduce the deficit they faced and after two minutes Graham Ilsley intercepted a n Upminster pass to race in from fifty metres to score under the posts and with Young adding the points, the gap had been narrowed to 12-15. This fired Holt up and four minutes later, Loane scored a well taken unconverted try, giving his side the lead at 17-15. Holt were now dominating proceedings and three minutes later Loane again, scored another try, being driven over the line by his forwards and with Allen adding the points, the lead stood at a healthy 24-15. Holt had scored three tries in the space of seven minutes to turn the game in their favour and had gained a bonus point as well. But Upminster were dangerous opponents and although suffering these setbacks, still showed their ability by testing Holt’s defence yet again and were rewarded with a penalty to reduce the margin to 24-18 after twenty minutes, putting themselves well within range of Holt’s score, who were a player short through a Yellow card. They maintained their pressure, but again it was Graham Ilsley who relaxed Holt’s fears with yet another interception and by showing his pace, scored his second try, converted by Allen, putting their side into a more comfortable position at 31-18 with thirteen minutes left. Upminster again would not allow their hosts to relax and kept on chipping away at their defence and with nine minutes remaining, were again rewarded with another converted try to bring the margin down to six points at 31-25. For the remainder of an absorbing contest Holt kept their line clear and at the final whistle emerged winners against worthy opponents, who never gave up. The return fixture should be interesting. Holt maintain their unbeaten record and with another bonus point, lead the table, putting them in a confident frame of mind, when they entertain Wymondham next Saturday.