After a break of 18 months, full-on league rugby returned to Bridge Road, and it was great to see a large crowd turn up to watch Holt's first game in London 3 (Eastern Counties). The opposition was Wisbech.

We would like to take the time to thank our match lunch sponsor: Mark Mitchell of Mitchell Piling and to special guest Kevin Abbs of Crayford & Abbs who has generously sponsored our essential new trauma and medical kits you see located at our pitch-side during our games.

Wisbech tested our defense from the moment we kicked off. They looked dangerous throughout the game and kept us on our toes. But it took Holt just 10 mins to open the scoring, Tom Jackson finishing off a sweeping move. Holt scored regularly then throughout the 1st half, Jackson and McConnell both getting hat tricks in the first half an hour.

The game was held up with about 10 mins to go to half time when the Wisbech no 10 collapsed. He had earlier clashed heads with a team mate. An ambulance was called and First Aid was administered by Holt's medical team. The game had to be switched to the 2nd team pitch while the Wisbech player was taken to hospital (more on this at the end of the match report).

The score at this time was 34/0. Holt ran in 3 more tries before half time, making the half time score 49/0.

Holt continued to score regularly in the 2nd half. Henry Flower also getting a hat trick. The final score was Holt 85 Wisbech 0. Behind the high score-line, the superb manner of the play throughout the team is the real headline of the day, recognising the immense defensive play to keep a clean sheet. This bodes well; we are ready for our next test on Sat 25th against Ely.

Scorers:
Tries Tom Jackson 3
Grant McConnell 3
Henry Flower 3
Jake Mermagen 2
Ollie Woodrow 1
Ali Hughes 1

Conversions Ali Hughes 10

After the match, Head Coach Phil Sharpe reported: "We had a clear idea of how we wanted to attack and remained focussed on our plans to support each other and play for the team. I was very pleased to see the support interplay be so effective through our backs, after being set up by a strong and determined forward pack. We are under no illusion that we will be tested every week and are keeping our sights on the next challenge and a chance to develop our game play further".

To follow-up on the Wisbech player, he was scanned and checked out at the Norfolk & Norwich, thankfully pronounced OK, and allowed home. He will have to undergo the normal head injury protocols before he can play again. Phil Sharpe Holt Head Coach: "I am so glad that the Wisbech player who collapsed is ok. Nothing about the match is more important than this". A quote from the Wisbech chairman Leonard Veenendaal on Sunday afternoon "I would like to take the opportunity to thank your physio Graham Ilsley and your club doctor for their fantastic medical support and care to our player. We are very grateful and it is sincerely appreciated. Also to your members who showed so much care and concern true to the spirit of rugby, thank you very much". Rob Hughes Holt Chairman followed-on: "The most important issue is that the player is fine, but Graham and his team were exemplary yesterday under extreme circumstances. Thank you. Thanks in no small part to Phil for spotting the problem and acting so decisively. We are lucky to have them all in the team. Lets hope it was a once in a lifetime challenge, but it does underline the importance of having medics on the touchline when these events happen".

Finally

If you have read this far - do you know any budding journalists out there? We need a match reporter, or a small team of reporters splitting the voluntary role. If interested in helping us out, please contact Pete D'Amery. Many thanks to Martyn Jackson for his contribution to this weeks report.

If you know anyone or any company who would like to sponsor Holt RFC this season in any of the many forms available (for example a shirt number sponsorship is only £150 plus VAT), please contact Ali Gibson.

We're a very welcoming bunch at Holt RFC, so if you feel inspired to help us in any capacity at all, and would like to know how you can volunteer, please contact Rob Hughes .

If interested, please can I also take the opportunity to remind you to book your seat at our 60th Annual Club Dinner to be held on Friday 17th December. I hear tickets are selling fast; any queries please to Andrew Ross.

We hope to see you support our team's forthcoming games at Bridge Road, with the next one a highly competitive match against Ely this Saturday 25th. Please don't forget to get in touch with Mike Bush for your pre-match lunch tickets, by the Wednesday evening prior to each game.

Thank you & we look forward to seeing you very soon.