Match Report: A thoroughly tense & entertaining game

Norwich 1st XV 36:27 Holt 1st XV (Away league loss)
North Walsham 3rd XV 28:20 Holt 3rd XV (Away league loss)

In cold conditions, a great number of enthusiastic Holt supporters made the trip to Norwich, including most of the 3rd team who had played at North Walsham earlier. Everyone was looking forward to this local derby, where Holt hoped to continue their momentum in the league, solidify their mid-table position and achieve their first double of the season. Norwich on the other hand, sitting at the base of the table, equally hoped to make amends for their defeat at Bridge Road in September and gain their second win of the season. There was everything to play for. Prior to the game at 2.30pm the U12s played a curtain-raiser, and the U9s provided half-time entertainment. All this made for a really great atmosphere for those that witnessed what turned out to be another thrilling encounter.

Thank you to Stuart Young for a few match photos and a large set of truly amazing match photos are now in from Adam Pryke, including the above. Please click here to view both.

Thank you as ever to our 1st XV Manager Martyn Jackson for his match commentary, which starts and is summed up by …… “Things didn't go well! …….”

Norwich came out of the traps very strongly and quickly, with far more determination than a strangely lack luster Holt. Norwich totally dominated the first 30 minutes, scoring 4 tries and 2 conversions to go 24 points to 0 up. In this time Holt also lost captain Tom Jackson to a head injury, winger Tom Thrower with a hamstring problem, and prop Will Knights to a knee injury. Holt found themselves with an uphill battle now that their bench was empty due to the injuries.

For Norwich this was a brilliant first 30 minutes and, 24 points up, from this point the result for some may ‘never have been in doubt’ ……. Until eventually Holt managed to put together some great rugby!

In the 40th minute James Gosden went over for a try after Ollie Woodrow was bought down short, giving Holt a penalty on 5m. Chilli Simmons kicked the extras. 40 mins: Norwich 24 Holt 7.

From the kick off, Harry Yarbo now playing on the wing instead of his normal back row, broke and made ground, and Holt forced their way into the Norwich 22 gaining a penalty 10m out. Grant McConnell crossed, but was held up. From the goal line drop out, Harry Yarbo again charged forward, with another Holt penalty on 5m seeing Grant McConnell crash over for a try. The conversion was missed. 46 mins: Norwich 24 Holt 12.

Holt started the 2nd half looking much more like their old selves. The second half come-back was thrilling to witness with Holt showing determination in abundance; the crowd for both teams were pumped and raucous. Within 5 mins they forced Norwich back gaining another penalty 10m out. Ed Briscoe took his chance well and went over for a try. The conversion was missed. 5 mins: Norwich 24 Holt 17

Norwich hadn't given up though and attacked from the kick off, besieging the Holt line with several good phases, but Holt held them off. Taylor Gowing was judged to have illegally stopped an assault on the line and received a yellow card. From the penalty Norwich scored and the kick was good. 14 mins: Norwich 31 Holt 17.

Holt threw themselves at Norwich from the kick off; Simmons kicked a penalty on the halfway line into the Norwich 22. From the line out Holt spread the ball eventually finding Grant McConnell with enough space to go over for his 2nd try. Simmons’ kick hit the post. 19 mins: Norwich 31 Holt 22.

Holt again attacked and, gaining confidence, they started to throw the ball around more, winning several penalties. They pushed Norwich backwards, Taylor Gowing and Henry Perowne made huge carries, Ollie Woodrow and Ali Hughes in the backs always looked threatening. A succession of 3 penalties drove Holt up to the Norwich line, Grant McConnell again going over. The scoreline was getting closer. 28 mins: Norwich 31 Holt 27.

As the clock ticked down it became apparent that, despite Holt managing to recapture their form from previous matches, they could not snatch that dramatic victory with their late-game heroics this time around. The strong Norwich start left them too much to do. With time running out Holt threw caution to the wind and Norwich took advantage of a mistake to clear their lines and kick Holt back deep into their own 22. A catch and drive from a 5m line out gave Norwich the last score of the game. Final score Norwich 36 Holt 27.

Holt got a bonus point, but the players won't be at all happy. They didn't execute everything that Phil had been talked about and which they had trained for. This was a winnable game where Holt showed great spirit to make a great come back, but which was simply lost with the awful start. For the crowd, it did however once again make for another very entertaining local derby game.

Congratulations to Moonazerale Man of the Match Harry Yarbo who was once again forced to play out of position on the wing, but did a really fantastic job against a strong opponent. Harry is sponsored this season by Dempsey Heating.

Post match President Chris Harrison said “Thank you to Norwich for royally hosting us yesterday; the pre-match Christmas Lunch was just marvellous. It was great to see such a tremendous turn out of support for what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining game. Seeing Holt concede 24 unanswered points, to then come back in the 2nd half to within 4 points of Norwich, was an achievement in itself! Norwich however, finishing the game off with a try in the closing stages, were the deserved winners, sadly for Holt.”

After the game a disappointed Head Coach Phil Sharpe said: “We let the game get away from us in the first 30 minutes. We had a clear plan and game philosophy which, for some reason, we did not execute for 30 minutes. This gave Norwich a great in road to score 24 unanswered points before we woke up and started playing some rugby by then it was too bigger gap for us to close. We were hurt by losing three players in that 30 minute period, injuries which meant we had exhausted any tactical options in the first half.

We have no excuses. We must learn from this, and we will, and we will enjoy the Christmas break. It’s a well needed rest as I know the players are feeling tired now, we will come back stronger from this and enjoy the second half of the season.”

Despite the result yesterday, Holt remain mid-table at the half way mark of the season, and look forward to the restart in the New Year. One for your diaries: our next league game is on Saturday 6th January when we host Dagenham whom we lost to the first time around in September.

Before then, another date for next weekend - Please come and support our annual Boxing Day fixture, Holt v Presidents XV, kick off 11am. Rocky Bottom (under the excellent stewardship of Pollyanna) will be providing the Christmas fair of chowder, crab and sausage rolls. Alistair and team will be running the bar (and we are looking to reduce the waiting time that was experienced last year). The Sheringham Shantymen will be providing our musical entertainment. So all in all it should be a great day!