Many thanks to Martyn Jackson for this match report - a little belated but no worries. There were no photos taken of Saturdays game, so I've included another from the Kingswood Festival - chosen for reasons that will become clear later.

Holt v Fakenham is always a hard fight, the only difference from the norm this year was that our Holt 2nd team were required to carry the Holt flag into battle. Due to Holt 1sts promotion last season, it was the first year for several that the clash between the two clubs wasn't a league game; nevertheless the Norfolk intermediate cup threw them together. Fakenham play their league rugby a division higher than Holt 2nds, so the game was always going to be a great test of our 2s ability.

Before the kick off a minutes silence was held in honour of Tony Marcantonio, a North Walsham stalwart and great supporter of all rugby across Norfolk for many years; Tony sadly passed away last week.

The sun was shining, there was a great crowd, and Holt couldn't have got off to a better start. Paul Amiss playing at No8 secured possession from the kick off which enabled Captain Charlie Gill to boot Holt straight back into Fakenham's 22 - Charlie Hewitt charged down an attempted clearance by Fakenham. From a scrum inside the Fakenham 22 Richie Mann playing scrum half sniped round the edge and went over for a try. Charlie Gill missed the kick. 5 mins Holt 5 Fakenham 0.

Fakenham responded from the kick-off forcing Holt backwards, gaining possession and running the ball through several phases to go over for a try. The kick was successful. 11 mins Holt 5 Fakenham 7.

Holt drove Fakenham back into their own 22 through a combination of good kicking and some excellent handling, but were caught out when shaping for the line. A Charlie Gill pass out to the winger, who only had to fall over the line, was intercepted, and the Fakenham winger outpaced the Holt defence for the full length of the pitch to score. The conversion was good. 25 mins Holt 5 Fakenham 14.

Holt struck back, Charlie Hewitt and Robbie Gray making huge inroads into the Fakenham defence forcing a scrum on the Fakenham 22. Fakenham fouled at the set piece, and from the free kick Gray crashed over for the try. The kick was missed. 38 mins Holt 10 Fakenham 14.

Fakenham were first on the score board in the 2nd half, a sweeping move ending in a try after just 5 mins, the kick missed. 5 mins Holt 10 Fakenham 19.

From the kick off Gray once more powered through the Fakenham defence, before offloading to Harry Papworth, who outpaced the Fakenham defence to score. Ollie Pearse got the extras. 7mins Holt 17 Fakenham 19.

Charlie Hewitt was replaced with Freddy Papworth in the front row. A Fakenham break saw them push Holt back deep into their own half, and a good handling move saw Fakenham score. The conversion was good. 12 mins Holt 17 Fakenham 24.

The end to end stuff continued, with Holt next to attack, and again Gray was in the thick of the initial surge forward. Fakenham, having great difficulty stopping him, made yards and Richie Mann was only too happy to carry the move on and score his second try. 20 mins Holt 22 Fakenham 26.

Holt kicked for territory from outside their own 22, the ball going directly into touch. Fakenham however, instead of taking the line back to the Holt 22, took a quick throw inside their own 22. Unfortunately this backfired when the ball was lost and turned over deep inside the Fakenham half, Ollie Pearse seizing the loose ball and cruising over for a try. The kick was missed. 25 mins Holt 27 Fakenham 26.

Fakenham were still not done for though, and another sweeping attack from them resulted in a try. The kick was missed. 30 mins Holt 27 Fakenham 31.

A frantic last 10 mins saw both teams trying to score the last points of the match. Fakenham forced Holt back into their own half and gained a scrum on Holts 22. Fakenham infringed at the scrum, the ref awarded Holt a penalty, but then immediately blew for full time. A puzzling end to an excellent match, played in great spirit in front of a very large crowd.

This was a thrilling match and a great performance from Holt 2nds playing against a higher ranked team. Remember Fakenham have finished 3rd in their league this season and last season they were playing our 1st team. Unfortunately our lack of kick conversions was the difference on the day which cost us the game.

Holt 2s now have to travel to Crusaders next Saturday 22nd for their final cup game to see if they will qualify for the Norfolk Cup finals on the 29th April. The 3rds/Tertians also have to play Crusaders in their final cup tie next Saturday, so both teams will be heading over to Little Melton next week. Norwich is a short drive - kick-off is scheduled for 3pm - as much support as possible would be appreciated by both sets of lads.

Scorers:
Trys: Pearse, Mann (2) H Papworth, Gray
Conversion: Pearse

Congratulations go to Man of the Match Harry Yarbo for his high work rate and a great all round game on his return from Australia. Harry also managed to put in a couple of hours behind the bar after the match!

Post match, Saturday evening saw the Holt's senior club presentation evening. First team Captain Tom Jackson hosted the event. In retrospect - making him drink a pint for hesitation, repetition or prevarication, wasn't a great idea! He did admirably though and didn't forget to thank anyone important, or to get the correct awards to the correct people! What TJ did happen to do was loose a tooth cap post awards at an Indian restaurant - but it didn't stop him from attending Kingswood the following morning to sell ice creams, despite feeling worse for wear - and he kept smiling all day, staying until the very end!

Congratulations to all the players for this seasons performances, however the following are the Senior Player Award winners for the 2022/23 season: -

1st XV
Joe Harrison - Player of the Season
Melvyn Gilmour - Players Player of the Season
Tom Jackson - Top Try Scorer
Tom Jackson - Top Points Scorer

2nd XV
Charlie Hewitt - Player of the Season
Jakob Coe - Players Player of the Season
Jakob Coe - Top Try Scorer

3rd XV
Benn Chisholm - Player of the Season
Neil Robertson - Players Player of the Season
Benn Chisholm - Top Try Scorer

Alex Wallace - Most Improved Senior Player
Freddie Papworth - Young Player of the Season