An introductory quote from our usual 3rd team report Club Captain Duncan Ayers: "The Tertians entertained a 70+ crowd at Bridge Road and, as the only team at home, they put on a display that shows Holt RFC play rugby for the love of the game, regardless of result. The Tertians are a real inspiration to younger players showing that if you can lose well, then you can win better".

Post match from Club President Chris Harrison: "Ben Perowne and team keep going some really determined play to try and stop Lakenham. A lot of injuries and playing a league up. You have a lot to be proud of. Hopefully we will get a win soon."

Post match comment from Head Coach Phil Sharpe: "Unfortunately the newly promoted 3rd team were unable to cope with Lakenham Hewett's 1st team. We take pride in the fact that every player who represented our senior section is a member of our club, and we are one of the few clubs able to field 3 teams. The Tertians will learn from this and build".

Thank you to the injured Neil Robertson who stepped into Duncan's boots to pen this one report, and click on this link for the match photos taken on my mobile.

Match report: Holt Tertian's came in today against another first team with 6 absences from the ‘standard’ starting pack, Ayers doing his duty stepping up to the 2nd team, Knights, mself, Hunt, Hield and Gregory all absent through injury, and last games Man of the Match Alex Wallace and Luke Rodway received well deserved call ups to the 2s. With the club squad depleted by injuries, Tertians captain Ben Perowne used all of his phone book to produce a hungry and determined 17 at home.

The game started poorly with a lack of aggression for the home team against a very strong Lakenham pack creating a strong crash and giving them a quick 4 try advantage. Set play as ever, even with a basically brand new pack, proved a massive positive for the 3’s with scrums extremely strong and Maurice Gedney proving his versatility playing flanker and being a very able jumper and carrier which almost resulted in a well earned try. As aggression seemed lacking at the start, proof of heart and aggression came from an unlikely source, with Maurice’s very hungover brother Barnaby, playing wing making a big tackle on Lakenham's extremely effective carrier at second row. This set of the last 10 minutes of the first half was where aggression was found and hope for a more competitive second half was felt by the very well supported home team with no score from the visitors. Half time 0-36.

The second half started like the first with 3 quick tries and the Lakenham kicker having plenty of opportunity to find his range and started converting. Aggression from the forwards was evident, from the experience of Burns and the Tertian’s “go to” hooker Will Barker, who on Lakenham's 3rd try of the half put his body on the line to stop the try resulting in a injury to his knee which introduced Dereham's oldest and famous son Nick Garrod.
Final score 0-90.

Holt showed flashes of brilliant play and strong forward play but an intercepted pass from the experienced scrum half Trevor Allen saw another try which seemed to take the stuffing out a weary and tired Holt team. A debut for Holt's newest recruit Joe Millar with 10 to go proved that still at this stage of the season, Holt still give faces new and old a chance to play and Joe could walk off with his head held high with a couple of healthy carries. A late injury to second row Max Sleighthome, who spent the whole game putting himself on the line, saw a late change with Alec Keeble who started on the wing coming back on into the pack, proving versatility is something the Tertians can do. The game finished 0-90 to Lakenham which again proves a first team against a third team is a huge ask but it means war and heart is required which everyone involved showed.

Man of the Match was given to an ex colt James Horth who returned to the club after 3 years and showed tremendous courage and fearlessness in every bit of his play and did everything to use his size to an advantage. DotD went to a departing Maurice Gedney - which is a sad day for Holt as his commitment and determination along with his performances will be sorely missed throughout the club and we wish him all the best in his future, professional venture.

A week off next week gives everyone a chance to reset, injuries to heal and the next game is 11th February away at Norwich Medics where we will be determined to put the last 2 weeks results in the rear view mirror and show truly what we are all about.

Next weeks opponents for the 1st XV are Wymondham, another big big game for Holt, again away at Wymondham on Friday 3rd evening. Neither the seconds or 3rds have a fixture on Saturday so there is no excuse not to travel over to Wymondham on FRIDAY evening (3rd February) to support the boys. Note the match is being played under lights at Wymondam RFC on FRIDAY night. Kick off TBC but will be between 7.30 and 8.00 PM.

Holt have a MASSIVE weekend on Saturday 11th sees the 1sts play Bury St Edmunds at home and the 2nds v Wymondham also at home. As said above, that Saturday the 3s are playing away at Norwich Medics.

If that isn't enough, the following week, Saturday 18th sees ALL 3 teams at home: the 3rds v Norwich Medics, the 2nds v Lowestoft & Yarmouth and the BIG ONE for the 1sts against SAFFRON WALDEN, CURRENTLY THE ONLY TEAM AHEAD OF HOLT IN THE LEAGUE!

Our next pre-match lunches will be held on Saturday 11th and Saturday 18th February both at midday. These are BIG GAME DAYS with all to play for at the top of the league, so PLEASE book your lunch well in advance in the usual way with Mike Bush (click here to link directly to his email) to avoid disappointment as spaces are already filling up quickly; at the latest by the Wednesday evening prior to each match. Thank you to our lunch sponsors Brown & Co on the 11th and Dalbo plus Sworders on the 18th - your support as always is fully appreciated.

Let's pack the club out for these 2 dates! Let's have a massive crowd to give all the boys the support that they deserve!