The league season, for Holt anyway, continues to cough and splutter its way through the final few weeks, one more home game next week, 8th March versus Brentwood then the final game of the league season away to Woodford on the 22nd March. There has been a new upbeat atmosphere around Holt over the last few weeks, and the visitors today, Rochford Hundred, it was hoped would provide a decent yardstick to determine whether the improvement in confidence could be mirrored in an improvement in results. Rochford sit just one place above Holt in the league table, but it must be said that their results have been improving as the season has progressed, they most certainly are not the team that Holt ran close back in November as their defeat of Harlow a couple of weeks ago graphically demonstrated!

A big crowd at Bridge road bolstered by the fact that all three senior teams were at home, and that the pre match lunch was raising money for the MND (motor neurone disease) charity My Names Doddie MND foundation. Holt took to the pitch quietly confident of producing a result, Rochford however had other ideas!

Rochford kicked off and blasted out of the blocks from the straight away. Forcing Holt back into their own 22, Tom Goose was judged to put in a high tackle and yellow carded, Rochford strolled in for their 1st try. The conversion was good.

9 mins Holt 0 Rochford 7

This early onslaught seemed to unbalance Holt, the whole of the first half was peppered with Holt trying to attack but making uncharacteristic mistakes, loosing possession and Rochford keeping their composure, punishing them with two more tries. A yellow card to Charlie Howard on 30 mins for an alleged tip tackle gave Rochford a penalty some 30m out. A number of hands and phases later a deft chip through the defence led to Rochfords 4th try. Its only due to some sterling defensive work by the whole side that Rochford were kept at bay. Holt somehow managed to contain them to four tries and three conversions in the first 35 minutes. The final few minutes of the first half saw Holt at long last manage to put together some coherent plays. They forced Rochford backwards deep into their own 22 but were unable to convert this possession into points.
Half time Holt 0 Rochford 26

Holt kicked off the second half and it was immediately obvious that a new sense of urgency had been discovered in the changing room at half time! A Holt line out on half way saw Freddy Carter seize the ball and set off into Rochford territory, he was bought down illegally some 30 yards out but sadly he was injured in the tackle and had to be substituted. James Horth taking up the loose head position. Holt’s scrum were comfortably winning set piece scrums but the line out was spluttering a bit. Several times, the penalty was kicked for territory, but the line was disrupted and the ball lost.

Holt however were certainly getting the lions share of the play in the second half, break outs by Jackson, Gilmour and Goose all looking promising but breaking down at the last minute, however on 25 mins it all came together, another good spell of possession saw play pushed deep into the Rochford 22. From a scrum, Holt attacked, the move was illegally stopped, a tap penalty on the 5m line was taken. The ball spread wide, Charlie Gill coming into the line from full back provided the overlap and he strolled over for a try. Arthur Loose kicked the conversion from out wide.

25 mins Holt 7 Rochford 26

The final 15 /20 mins were played out with Holt desperately trying to add to their score, and at times coming very close, playing some very good rugby, but sadly unable to do so.

Final Score Holt 7 Rochford 26

A game of 2 halves definitely. Holt were disorganized and seemingly full of self-doubt in the first half. Rochford very efficiently punished them. The second half saw Holt discover some self believe, they were much much better. Had they played like that for the full 80 mins, things may have been different! Holt have had a very difficult season, long away trips every other week, player unavailability's, (because of the long trips?) It hasn't been easy for them. They will bounce back next season, maybe the remaining two fixtures will provide a bit of comfort and hope for them. They are both winnable. Holt have a side, especially in the forwards, that can hold its own with any other team in this league. If self-belief and confidence could be bottled and fed to them they’d have no issues! It has to be earned, but it will come.

Congratulations to our Moongazer man of the match Peter Medler sponsored by Baconsthorpe Meadows campsite.
DOTD Charlie Cowling

The 2nds lost to Gt Yarmouth & Broadland: 22 points to 43
The 3rds lost to Norwich 2nd team: 5 points to 105

The first team shirts, especially made for the MND day, with the My Name is Doddie logo were auctioned off after the game, helping to raise over £20,500 on the day. Holt might have lost on the pitches but won magnificently elsewhere!

Next week the 1sts are at home versus Brentwood, 3pm KO. The 2nds are away to Thetford 1sts.