An unwavering commitment and enthusiasm shown by all 3 teams

Holt 1st XV 32: 24 Holt 1st XV (Home league defeat)
The 2s and 3s played pre-season friendlies against Woodbridge and Watton respectively.

Following yesterdays 1st XV game, I thank Fixtures Secretary Martyn Jackson for the detailed match report below. Thanks go to Mitchell Piling for sponsoring the well-supported pre-match lunch, your support is always appreciated. Thank you also to our Club Photographer Simon Watson for his great images of the play; to view click here.

If you didn't get a chance to view our first Digital Match Day Programme before now, it's amazing - I urge you to please click here.

Next I thank Head Coach Phil Sharpe for commenting on the three teams, beginning with the 1st XV: "I am absolutely thrilled with the performance our players displayed during yesterdays game. They not only showcased their exceptional abilities but also demonstrated their readiness to complete at this high level. Despite the absence of preseason matches, which typically help teams fine-tune coordination and communication, we tackled these challenges with great skill and determination.

It is important to remember that we have additional players joining our ranks in the near future, which will undoubtedly enhance our team's depth and capabilities. This growth will not only translate to improved on field performance, but also strengthen our off-field dynamics.

As we move forward, we eagerly anticipate the remainder of the season, with a strong sense of optimism and excitement. We are committed to further nurturing our team's potential and continuing upward trajectory both on and off the pitch. The future looks incredibly promising, and we are dedicated to realising our full potential in the games to come."

Following the 2s and 3s games, Phil continued: "I'm delighted that our 2nd and 3rd teams have displayed the same unwavering commitment and enthusiasm in their warm-up games as they prepare for their league matches. Their willingness to face-off against other clubs' 1st teams without apprehension truly underscores their determination to challenge themselves and raise their game.

This kind of fearless attitude and dedication to improve bodes well for the overall strength and development of our teams. It's clear that they are not just here to participate but to excel and complete at the highest level possible. We are proud of their spirit and look forward to seeing them continue to shine in the upcoming league matches."

Now to Martyn's 1st XV match report: After last season’s promotion, Holt entertained Thurruck for their first ever game at level 6, more commonly known as Regional 2 Anglia. Thurruck finished last season mid-table in level 6, so the game was always going to be a stern test. Would Holt be up to the challenge?

A perfect day, if a bit warm for rugby. Thurruck kicked off, Jackson playing at 10 instead of his usual 12, returned the ball straight back and Thurrock knocked on; a Holt scrum on the Thurrock 10m line. An infringement by Thurrock gifted Holt a penalty which they took quickly, Holt then in turn infringed giving Thurrock a penalty. Thurrock cleared their lines to half way. Another Holt penalty saw Jackson pin Thurrock back into their 22 but the throw was not straight. Thurrock won the resulting scrum and ran the ball at Holt. The move broke down on half-way and yet another Holt penalty saw Jackson once again push Thurrock back into their 22. Thurrock again cleared their lines to half way, Holt won the line out, the ball was spread to Ali Hughes playing at 12, and a chip through saw Grant McConnell at 14 gather and make good ground before being bought down on the 5m line. Thurrock knocked on and Holt received a scrum some 6m out. A good solid scrum gave Pete Medler the scrum half a great platform to set Jackson free and he crashed through the Thurrock defence to score. Jackson also converted.

7 mins Holt 7 Thurruck 0

Holt ran the ball back at Thurrock from the kick off and gained a penalty on the half way line. Jackson kicked to 40m out, and from the line out Holt spread the ball. Jackson accelerated through the Thurrock defence and looked to be good for a spectacular solo score but was overwhelmed by Thurrock defenders about 10m from the line. Thurrock cleared their lines back to half way. Holt knocked on and from the scrum Thurrock ran possession through several pairs of hands to score. The conversion was missed.

16mins Holt 7 Thurruck 5

From the kick off the Thurrock scrum half put in a beautiful box kick which the Holt defence failed to deal with. Thurrock turned the maul over, spread the ball quickly wide and ran in another try. The conversion was missed.

20mins Holt 7 Thurruck 10

Holt again attacked from the kick off. A succession of Thurrock offences saw Holt force their way into the Thurrock 22. Again Thurrock cleared to half way. Jackson booted Thurrock back into their 22 but Thurrock managed to recover the ball and quickly counter. Slack defence from Holt enabled Thurrock to make great ground down the wing and score their 3rd try. The conversion was successful.

28mins Holt 7 Thurruck 17

Thurruck again box kicked the kick off back to Holt, but this time Holt dealt with it better. A line out on half way saw Holt attack Thurrock and win a scrum on the Thurrock 10m line. Jackson made ground then put a grubber kick through for Ali Hughes to chase and score Holt’s 2nd try . Jackson got the conversion.

32 mins Holt 14 Thurruck 17.

Holt gained a penalty about 30m out which Jackson kicked for touch but the kick was kept infield by a very athletic Thurrock player. Thurrock once more very quickly spread the ball wide and attacked from deep, scoring in the corner. The kick was missed.

36 mins Holt 14 Thurruck 22

From the kick off Holt gained a penalty 25m in front of the Thurrock posts. The decision was made to go for the points which Jackson converted.

40 mins Holt 17 Thurruck 22 and Half time.

This had been a very entertaining half, where Holt more than held their own, but got mercilessly punished by Thurruck for their mistakes.

Will Knights came on for Henry Perowne at the start of the 2nd half; Perowne had dominated his opposite number in the scrum but had a slight niggle.

Within 2 mins of the restart Thurrock again attacked from deep moving the ball through several sets of hands. With the help of some less than perfect tackling from the Holt defence they crossed for a try. The kick was missed.

45 mins Holt 17 Thurrock 27.

From the kick off Thurrock knocked on giving Holt a scrum 30m out, and then infringed at the scrum giving Holt a penalty. Jackson kicked to 10m out, and the line out was won but Holt knocked on. Harry Yarbo was replaced by Charlie Howard. Thurrock cleared their lines but Mel Gilmour and Ali Hughes ran the ball back and a high tackle saw a Thurrock player given a yellow card. Thurrock drove Holt back to half way and won a penalty. They kicked for touch, but Gilmour kept the ball in play and ran it back to half way where he was tackled in to touch. An attack from a scrum on half way saw Thurrock awarded a penalty 30m out; they elected to kick but missed. The drop out went into touch on the Holt 10m line from where Thurrock attacked and scored in the corner. The kick was missed.

60 mins Holt 17 Thurrock 32

The game started to fragment in the last 25 mins, hardly surprising considering the hot weather and the pace that the game had been played at! Players, obviously getting tired on both sides, were making more and more mistakes. From a scrum on half way Jackson somehow managed to break through a packed mid field and win the sprint to the line for his 2nd try; h e nailed the conversion.

70 mins Holt 24 Thurruck 32.

Both teams ground out the last 10 mins. Thurrock won a scrum on their own 10m line and gratefully booted the ball into touch to bring a thoroughly entertaining game to an end.

Holt certainly rose to the challenge of the new league. Holt were a little rusty in places but that will no doubt improve as they get more games under their belt. If this is a forerunner of the entertainment that we are going to get at Bridge Road this season, then bring it on! It was a great afternoon of rugby entertainment, so well done to the coaches Phil, Scott, and the players.

Scorers:
Tom Jackson - 2 tries 3 conversions 1 Penalty
Ali Hughes - 1 try.

Man of the Match: Congratulations to our Moongazerale Man of the Match Toby Thornbury - for an outstanding game, first ever game as hooker and holding his own, contributing throughout the 80 minutes. Toby is sponsored by Aylsham Slurry.

DoTD: Tom Jackson awarded this to himself, taking one for the team, as everyone played so well that he couldn’t bring himself to identify anyone!

Meanwhile also playing at home were the 3rd XV who entertained Watton RFC in a pre-season friendly. Ben Perowne and the lads were up against a strong team who scored many tries, losing by a large margin. At half time the players were mixed up a bit to make the game more even. After a tough second half to last season having moved up a league, Director of Rugby Ashley Woods was watching on, reporting back, and is very keen to ensure the 3s have all the support they need from the Club moving forwards.

Away from home, a weakened 2nd XV were playing Woodbridge 1s. Thank you to Erin Chapman for feeding back following their heavy away defeat. Our only try was scored by Nico Allen following a big carry by Charlie Gill, who also converted. Congratulations to Charlie Gill for his Man of the Match award showing good control and being organised in attack. DoTD went to a Woodbridge player who we borrowed to make up our 15 man squad - he ended up breaking his own Captain's arm.