Holt 1st XV 12 : 46 Harlow 1st XV (Home Papa John Cup defeat)
Thetford 1st XV 33 : 26 Holt 3rd XV (Away Norfolk Cup defeat)
Wymondham 2nd XV v Holt 2nd XV v (Norfolk Cup - Holt conceded)

Yet another new direction in this amazing season for Holt 1sts came last Saturday with their 1st foray into the Papa John’s Community Cup. The opposition was Harlow, who only the week before finished their own equally amazing season by finishing 3rd in the same league as Holt.

For a variety of reasons, a multitude of changes to the Holt 1st XV was forced upon coaches Phil and Nick through unavailabilities.

Post match Director of Rugby Ashley Woods said: “Harlow are a well drilled, physical team that take their opportunities. The score line may suggest a one-sided game, but we dominated in the tackle and did well in the scrum. Our second half performance was up there with the best of the season. I am extremely proud of their effort and commitment, and we are looking forward to seeing Harlow next season”.

A BIG thank you to 1st XV Manager Martyn Jackson for his detailed match report below; we really do appreciate all the scribbling you do on the side-lines, which you always manage to decipher into something meaningful for me over the past few seasons!

If you would like to see any match photos courtesy of Jeanette & Kate, please click here.

Martyn’s report:
Holt kicked off and Harlow drove forward but conceded a penalty on halfway. Pete Medler kicked Holt ahead as far as the Harlow 10m line and Holt attacked but the move broke down on the Harlow 22. From the penalty, Harlow kicked Holt back into their half and Harlow moved the ball wide from the line out, but Holt forced a turnover and another penalty which Jackson kicked back to halfway. Once more, Harlow gained possession and kicked down field gaining a line out on the Holt 22. From here Harlow attacked running several well-played phases, forcing Holt into conceding a penalty on their own 22. Harlow kicked successfully for the posts. 7 mins Holt 0 Harlow 3.

Holt’s kick off went straight into touch, but Harlow infringed at the scrum on half way giving Holt a penalty. Holt ran the ball but lost possession, from which Harlow hacked ahead. The Holt defence scrambled back but knocked on deep in their own 22, and Harlow went blind from the scrum to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. 11 mins Holt 0 Harlow 8.

Straight from the restart Harlow showed once more why they finished so high in the league. They drove Holt backwards through some very well drilled and disciplined phases and despite sterling defence from Holt, Harlow scored their 2nd try when they managed to set their winger free to sprint in from 40m. The kick was good. 15mins Holt 0 Harlow 15.

Harlow kicked for territory from the restart to push Holt back into their own half, they turned the line 25m out and attacked once more using their well drilled pack. Holt forced them into touch10m out, when Tom Thrower limped off and Sam Wright came on into the back row. Harlow won the line out, gained a penalty 10m and powered over for their 3rd try. The kick was good. 24 mins Holt 0 Harlow 22.

Again, Harlow booted Holt back deep into Holt territory from the kick off. Jackson’s attempt to clear his lines was charged straight down and Harlow crashed over for a 4th try. The kick was missed. 26mins Holt 0 Harlow 27.

Holt charged forward from the restart forcing a penalty on the Harlow 22 and a quick tap and go set Ollie Pearce free to score Holt’s 1st try. Medler missed the kick. 29 mins Holt 5 Harlow 27.

Harlow powered into the Holt half from the kick off, forcing a line out on the Holt 22 from where Holt defended well and were rewarded with a scrum. Medler broke blind from the scrum, off loaded to Jackson in support, Jackson powered up to the Harlow 10m line then chipped ahead. Yarbo chased and secured possession 5m out and won a penalty. Holt were a bit hasty in taking the penalty and knocked on, loosing possession and Harlow cleared their lines. Jackson hobbled off with hamstring injury, Ricky Mann came on as scrum half and Pete Medler moved to fly half. Holt once more attacked through good carries by Blake Collins, Taylor Gowing and Ollie Woodrow making good inroads deep into the Harlow 22. A huge speculative kick down field by Harlow was picked up by Finn Wilcox playing full back, who returned the ball back to half way. Harlow once more used their forwards to force the Holt defence backwards, running several phases combining forwards and backs, keeping possession well deep into Holts 22 and they were rewarded with a penalty on the Holt 5m line. A tap and go saw Harlow crash over. The kick was missed. 45 mins Holt 5 Harlow 32. Half time.

From the kick off, Holt kicked deep into Harlow’s half forcing them back over their own line. From the goal line drop out Holt again attacked. Harlow won a scrum on their own 22 and cleared their lines, but the kick went straight into touch. Holt lost their line out on the Harlow 22 and Harlow once more deployed their forward handling game driving Holt backwards to their 10m line, where Holt forced them into touch. Jack Small broke from the line and made good ground before being bought down and penalised for not releasing on the Harlow 10m. Harlow kicked to touch as far as the Holt 10m line, the throw was not straight, and Holt gained a scrum on their own 10m line. Holt attacked again but the Harlow defence held firm and at every opportunity kicked Holt back into their own half. A typical Taylor Gowing rampage through the middle of the Harlow defence saw Holt gain a penalty on the Harlow 22, which Ollie Pearse drilled the ball into the corner. The ball was lost, Harlow charged out of defence, using both backs and forwards, and Holt’s defence eventually stopped them but gave away a penalty on the 22. Harlow ran the ball and crossed the line but were held up, giving Holt a chance to clear their lines with a goal line drop out. Harlow fielded the ball safely and spreading it wide, outflanking the Holt defence to score. 20mins Holt 5 Harlow 39.

Harlow attacked from the kick off chipping over the Holt defence, and from a scrum on their own 22 Holt won a penalty. Pearse kicked them back to halfway and another Holt penalty saw Pearse push Holt up to the Harlow 10m line. Harlow turned the line out and once more, with great pace, sent the ball wide. A kick ahead saw Holt infringe about 10m out, and Harlow ran the penalty through a combination of hands and phases, seeing it across for a try. The kick was good. 30mins Holt 5 Harlow 46.

Holt attacked from the restart and a chip over the defence saw them awarded a scrum on Harlow’s 10m line. They spread the ball wide from the scrum, and gained a penalty on the Harlow 22. Another penalty just 5m further on, saw Holt manage to get the ball to Ollie Woodrow, who outsprinted the Harlow defence to score. Ollie Pearse got the conversion.
37 mins Holt 12 Harlow 46.

There was just time for the restart when the ball went into touch on the Holt 22 and the ref blew for full time. Final score Holt 12 Harlow 46.

This was another highly entertaining match in what has been a highly entertaining season. Holt were by no means out classed. They must however take a leaf out of the teams like Harlow’s book and become far more clinical in possession. It has been the only major difference between Holt and the tigers of this league. Remember Holt have beaten every one except the top 3 in this league at some time this season, which is not bad at all. Had it been suggested a few years ago that playing at level 6 was achievable, it would have caused great hilarity! The 1st team season has now ended.

However, the 2nd and 3rd teams still have Norfolk Cup games to play, so your support is still very much needed at Bridge Road and elsewhere. This Saturday 20th the 2nds entertain Crusaders at home, while the 3rds travel down to Beccles. Please do try to support the boys!

Congratulations to the Moongazerale Man of the Match Olly Pearse who had an outstanding performance in the centre. Ollie is sponsored by Mike Bush.
Tries: Ollie Pearse and Ollie Woodrow
Conversion: Olly Pearse