Match Day Report: "These are special times for Holt Rugby Club"

Holt 1s XV 17: 10 Saffron Walden (Home league win)
Holt 2s XV 36: 25 Swaffham 1s (Home league win)
Holt 3s XV 26: 48 Lowestoft & Yarmouth 2s (Away league win)

With great numbers continuing for training, and no games called off, 60 players donned our Holt black shirts to play again yesterday; Holt had numbers to be able to field 3 strong sides, with subs.

I’m going to start with a quote from Club President Chris Harrison “What a great day of rugby with the 2s triumphing at home and most impressively the 3s winning away! As for the 1s winning against Saffron Walden after two heavy defeats last season, it just goes to show how far we have progressed. These really are special times at Holt Rugby Club”.

Later Club Chairman Rob Hughes said “All 60 players tasting the sweetness of victory on the pitch, coupled with an amazing pre-match lunch and incredible touchline support at Bridge Road, left an indelible memory of another great day at Holt Rugby Club! Well done to everyone involved in whatever way”. It was a pleasure to welcome back Richard English and his colleagues and guests from Ben Burgess, Shane Barnes of Oxbury Bank, both of whom sponsor Holt again this season, and they were joined by Jon Spoor and his team from accountants Argents as first-time lunch sponsors. Thank you!

For the 1st XV, yesterday was Holt's first home fixture since their magnificent win over Stowmarket on a very memorable Armistice Day. Holt welcomed tough adversaries Saffron Walden RFC, last season's runaway champions of the league. Sitting 5 points below us in the league, Holt knew they faced a tough encounter with Saffron's formidable track record and knew they'd have to be at their best to beat them. Thank you as ever to Fixtures Secretary & 1st Team Manager Martyn Jackson for his 1st XV match report which follows at the end.

The 3s Match Report is already posted, however since we haven't a 2s Match Report, and no match photographer at any game, I decided to include this shot after the Swaffham game, thanks Kate Yarbo. To quote Head Coach Phil Sharpe in our digital Match Day Programme (click for the PDF version) “It’s crucial not to overlook our Colts and u16s waiting in the wings. With almost 300 kids, our vibrant Y&M set up showcases impressive skills on Sundays, ensuring the future bodes well to strengthen Holt’s senior position in years to come”. Seniors Harry Yarbo & Charlie Howard have played together since the Gladiators and stepped out for the 2s yesterday.

Back to yesterday: The day began with pitches covered in a frozen crust but being soft underfoot and with a bright morning forecast. After a pitch inspection at 8am it was decided that the conditions were playable, and the announcement quickly did the rounds that the games(s) would go ahead! So, at -1C and with 2 places separating the two teams in the league, it was always going to be a close game and chucking the extremely difficult conditions into the mix more or less ensured that it was never going to be a classic game of open flowing rugby! It turned however to be a highly entertaining battle, or “a war of attrition” in the words of Holt Captain Tom Jackson, that kept the large crowd on the edge of their metaphoric seats to the final whistle.

Speaking after the game, Head Coach Phil Sharpe said “I am incredibly proud of all the players that represented Holt this weekend. We knew the Saffron game would be tough, but we were confident in our skill set and believed, if we kept doing the right things in the right places, we would get the result.”

Post-match, Director of Rugby Ashley Woods said “The set piece and kicking played a huge part to this game. Saffron were committed in all aspects but we found opportunities and took them. The large crowd played a huge part also and really added to a memorable performance. Our seconds beat Swaffham 36-25 and our thirds beat Lowestoft & Yarmouth 2s 26-48, so all teams won. We want to keep developing and look forward to exciting games ahead.”

Pre-Christmas and reaching mid-season, Holt 1st XV host league leaders Southend Saxons next Saturday 9th, and travel to local rivals Norwich on Saturday 16th.
Also on the Saturday 9th, the 2s travel to Diss and the 3s host Lakenham Union. We have an extremely busy Ladies pre-match lunch next Saturday kindly sponsored by CJC Lee however it is not too late to book up by contacting lunches@holtrfc.com.

Martyn Jackson's report: “Holt kicked off and immediately gave away a penalty on the Saffron Walden 22 for a high tackle. Saffron Walden kicked to half way, won the line out and chipped ahead, the ball went dead and Jackson cleared from a goal line drop out. This set the tone for most of the match, both 10s sensibly, given the greasy surface, kicking for territory, playing a kick and chase game. On 15 mins Holt gained a penalty which Jackson put into the corner. Holt deployed their (in)famous 11-man line out and drove Henry Perowne over for a try. Jackson missed the kick.

16 mins Holt 5 Saffron Walden 0

On 46 mins Holt were awarded a penalty on the Saffron Walden 22. Jackson elected to go for the posts, but his kick drifted wide. Despite the conditions the Holt backs notably both wingers Henry Flowers and Ollie Woodrow, had several good runs at the Saffron Walden defence, but to no avail. The Saffron defence held firm and Perowne’s try was the only score of an enthralling first half.

Half time Holt 5 Saffron Walden 0

Saffron Walden attacked the Holt lines ferociously from the kick-off using their large mobile back to very good effect, running multi phases and keeping possession; after 6 mins it bought its rewards with Saffron Walden driving Holt back over their line for a try, which was converted.

7 mins Holt 5 Saffron Walden 7

As the fog got thicker and the temperature dropped lower, running rugby became harder still, the Saffron Walden pack had their tails up and, combined with some good tactical kicking from their 10, they were making life very difficult for the Holt defence, who rose magnificently to the cause, repelling wave after wave of attacks. After one such attack Saffron Walden gained a penalty which they kicked for 3 more points.

25 mins Holt 5 Saffron Walden 10

Ali Hughes received a yellow card for an alleged high tackle on 28 mins; Saffron Walden chose to take a scrum on the Holt 22 and drove Holt backwards over the line. The ball was held up, and from the drop out Holt turned the ball over, whipped it out wide to Ollie Woodrow who gleefully set off from inside his own 22, went round the opposition defence and out sprinted everyone to go the distance and touch down under the posts. Jackson converted.

30 mins Holt 12 Saffron Walden 10

Again, Saffron Walden charged forward kicking for territory with their forwards keeping possession, but again the Holt defence kept them out. Saffron Walden tried to spread the ball from a scrum on the Holt 22, however Grant McConnell saw the threat and, reading the move brilliantly, intercepted the pass between the opposition centres and went the full length of the pitch to score Holt’s 3rd try. Jackson missed the kick.

38 mins and full time: Holt 17 Saffron Walden 10

Considering the conditions, this was a wonderful afternoons entertainment by two totally committed and good sides. The Saffron forwards, as always, were big powerful and well drilled, but the Holt pack manned up and kept them at bay. The Holt backs, despite several attempts by Flowers, Hughes, Woodrow and McConnell, tried hard to overcome the conditions, but it was definitely a day for hard graft at the coal face; another great afternoon at Bridge Road.

Congratulations to Moongazerale Man of the Match Charlie Cowling for his outstanding defensive performance and lineout work. Charlie is sponsored this season by UK law firm Birketts.

Congratulations also to the 2s Man of the Match Finley Wilcox and 3s Man of the Match Dave Jones.