Holts opponents on Saturday, Rochford Hundred are a team based in Essex with a long and successful record at this level. Games between Holt and Rochford Hundred over the last couple of seasons have always been entertaining and usually close fought.

Holt kicked off immediately winning a scrum some 30 metres out. They held the scrum well, against what is becoming the mandatary much bigger pack, spreading the ball wide they set Dan Ekbe free down the right wing, he sadly strayed into touch 15 metres from the line. Rochford Hundred cleared their lines up to the Holt 10 metre line. Holt spilt the ball, Rochford Hundred attacked but in turn lost possession then Taylor Gowing , who had a great game, picked up the loose ball and charged through the Rochford Hundred defence, offloading to Jackson who in turn off loaded to Ekbe, who from 50 metres out showed terrific pace stepping inside and rounding the full back before touching down for a try. Pete Medler got the conversion.

4 mins Holt 7 Rochford Hundred 0

Rochford Hundred staged a massive assault on Holt from the kick off, keeping possession well through multiple phases, pinning Holt back deep into their own half. A good solid defence kept Rochford Hundred out, Grant McConnell at 10 clearing Holts lines with some great kicking which relieved the pressure but Rochford Hundred won a penalty on half way, their 10, who was also having a great kicking game, put them into the Holt corner. A solid catch and drive bought about a try. The conversion was successful.

12 mins Holt 7 Rochford Hundred 7

From the kick off Rochford Hundred hoofed the ball straight back into Holt territory, Papworth covered well but a good chase caught him deep in the Holt 22. Rochford Hundred knocked on giving Holt a scrum, then a penalty which McConnell hoofed back to the Holt 10 metre line. The throw was judged not straight then from the scrum Rochford Hundred spread the ball wide, breaching the Holt defence to score their 2nd try. The conversion was good.

20 mins Holt 7 Rochford Hundred 14

An exchange of kicks ended with a Holt line out on halfway. Holt infringed giving Rochford Hundred a penalty. They kicked deep into the Holt 22. Holt spoiled the line out winning a scrum 10 metres out. A foul up at the back of the scrum let the ball spill loose, it was gleefully seized on by the Rochford Hundred no. 8 who strolled over for Rochford Hundreds 3rd try. The conversion was good.

26 mins Holt 7 Rochford Hundred 21

From the kick off Medler made a good break before linking with Jackson and Ekbe but they got stopped 20 metres out. Rochford Hundred infringed at the scrum giving Holt a penalty 10 metres out. McConnell put the ball into the corner. Another Holt penalty saw them knock on giving Rochford Hundred a scrum on the 5 metre line. Rochford Hundred cleared their lines up to their 10 metres. Turning the line out they attacked with their backs making ground deep into Holt territory, Loades went for an interception, but the ball went straight through his hands, the ref inexplicably decided there was a deliberate knock on and awarded Rochford Hundred a penalty, and Loades a yellow card. Rochford Hundred kicked into the Holt 22 a catch and drive was held up giving Holt a goal line drop out. From the kick Rochford Hundred ran the ball back at Holt but spilt the ball, Jackson picked up off loaded to McConnell who made good ground before being tackled illegally on the 5 metre line, a tap and go saw him cross the line for Holt`s second try. Medler nailed the kick.

41 mins Holt 14 Rochford Hundred 21 – Half time

Jackson took the ball from the kick off and charged through the Rochford Hundred defence before being bought down illegally on the half way line. McConnell kicked up to around 30 metres out. Holt spread the ball wide but spilt it. Rochford Hundred hoofed the ball down field winning ac 50/22. Rochford Hundred in turn knocked on. McConnell broke through the Rochford Hundred defence, linked with Papworth who didn't quite have the legs and was bought down just 5 metres from the Rochford Hundred line. Rochford Hundred cleared their lines back to their 10 metre line. Another penalty to Holt enabled McConnell to put Holt back into the Rochford Hundred 22. Holt spread the line out ball, McConnell chipped the Rochford Hundred defence, caught his own kick and went over for Holts 3rd try. Medler did the honours.

9 mins Holt 21 Rochford Hundred 21

Holt rang a couple of changes, Michael Dolan coming off for Logan Price, and Will Gowler swapping with Charlie Gill. The kick went straight out, McConnell kicked for ground Rochford Hundred ran the ball back before the ball went loose, Jackson picked up and sent a kick down field. Rochford Hundred’s line out some 30 metres out. Taylor Gowing turned possession and set off before being bought down illegally some 20 metres out straight in front of the posts. Medler took the kick successfully.

20 mins Holt 24 Rochford Hundred 21

Holt spilt the ball from the kick off then from the scrum 30 metres out Rochford Hundred attacked through the middle, their big forwards crashing through the Holt defence and eventually driving Holt back over the line to score their 4th try. The conversion was good.

28 mins Holt 24 Rochford Hundred 28

From the kick off Medler broke free, made ground, the ball went loose and Rochford Hundred kicked back Holt winning a line out on their own 10 metre line. Jamie Buckingham was replaced by Will Rands. Holt ran the ball, Rochford Hundred giving away a penalty on their own 10 metre line. McConnell kicked into the Rochford Hundred 22. Rochford Hundred won possession and cleared their lines. A Holt scrum on the 22 was turned into a penalty, several phases and changes of possession ended a Rochford Hundred scrum 35 metres out. They spread the ball wide, their winger managed to break the cover tackle and break free to score from some 60 odd yards out. The conversion missed.

35 mins Holt 24 Rochford Hundred 33

Holt charged forward from the restart, but Rochford were having none of it! They stuffed the ball up their jumpers, continually checking with the ref form the time, as soon as the ref gave them the nod for full time they hoofed the ball into touch to end the game! Good game management!

Final score Holt 24 Rochford Hundred 33

MOTM Grant McConnel. Brilliant game, nothing more to be said!
DOTD Tom Jackson, took it for the team because frankly there was no DOTD!

A wonderful marvellously entertaining game, Holt can justifiably feel aggrieved that that came away with nothing. They played some great rugby both in attack and defence. Their much smaller pack was easily the match for the Rochford pack, the backs likewise.

No other games this weekend. No games next weekend, 6 nations take precedent. In 2 weeks the firsts are away at Braintree, a repeat of today’s performance could see a very interesting day! The 3rds will be at home to Wymondham. 2 pm kick off.