The penultimate away trip saw Holt undertake one of their shorter trips south on the A11, a mere two and a half hours to travel. Harlow have had a reasonable season thus far, sitting fairly comfortably in third place in the league. Holt, rebuilding with a new coaching set up travelled with a view to seeing an improvement on some of their away trips this season, and with the memories of their demolition of Stowmarket two weeks ago still fresh, no little hope of finishing with a bonus point .

Harlow kicked off, Arthur Loose starting at 10 gathered and returned the ball back to the Harlow 10m line. Harlow spread the ball wide but knocked on gifting Holt a scrum, Medler kicked for territory but miss judged it and the ball went straight to touch. Harlow took the line out on Holts 22. A good catch and drive saw Harlow advance deep into Holts red zone and a neat off load saw Harlow score out wide. The conversion missed.

6 mins: Harlow 5 Holt 0

An exchange of kicks from the kick off saw Holt earning a scrum on their own 10m line, this was upgraded to a penalty. Loose kicked for territory but the ball was kept in play, Harlow kicked back giving Holt a line out 35m out, Harlow won the line out and in a repeat of their first try drove the line out deep into Holt territory before releasing the ball wide to score. The conversion was good.

14 mins: Harlow 12 Holt 0

A penalty on the Harlow 10m line allowed them once more to advance into Holts half, our defence turned the ball and Holt tried to attack from deep but the ball carrier lost possession in contact. Harlow pounced on the loose ball and crashed over for their third try. The conversion was good.

17 mins: Harlow 19 Holt 0

From the kick off Holt got a line out on the Harlow 10m line, the ball was lost but Harlow infringed giving Holt a scrum on half way. Holt went forward but infringed in turn on the Harlow 22, Harlow kicked the penalty back to their 10m line and tried to break from the line out but good defence caused the ball to be spilt, Tom Goose seized the opportunity, gathered the loose ball and sprinted in from 45m for a try. Loose got the conversion.

24 mins: Harlow 19 Holt 7

More mid field exchanges from the kick off culminated with a line out to Holt on their 10m line. A mistake gifted Harlow a scrum who ran hard and straight moving the ball through several pairs of hands to run in their fourth try. The conversion was good.

32 mins: Harlow 26 Holt 7

Another intense period of play between the teo 10m lines ended with a Holt scrum who attacked but lost possession. From the Harlow scrum on half way, Holt infringed so Harlow kicked into the Holt 22, another penalty followed which Harlow took quickly and crashed over for their fifth try. The conversion was good.

40 mins: Harlow 33 Holt 7 Half Time

After the break Holt kicked off, Harlow fielded the ball and ran straight back at the Holt defence, Holt didn't appear to have realised that the game had restarted and allowed the ball carrier to advance to the Holt 22, a scrum to Harlow was simply finished off for a try. The conversion was successful.

2mins: Harlow 40 Holt 7

Holt woke up in time to restart! Another long absorbing period of play in the centre of the pitch ensued, both teams attacking when abl, and both defending well. Holt were gaining in confidence as play went on, but were making too many unforced errors. Harlow eventually forced play into the Holt 22, hands and phases kept them going as far as Holts 5m line, a scrum on the 5m line saw them, for the only time in the entire game, get the best of the superb Holt pack, and drive them backwards for a push over try.

15mins: Harlow 47 Holt 7

Holt powered forward from the kick off and had much the lions share of possession for the next 10mins, but were unable to cross the line. After a succession of penalties saw them advance deep into the Harlow 22 , Gosden saw the opportunity, took a quick tap and go to charge over the line for Holts second score. The conversion missed.

25 mins: Harlow 47 Holt 12

Both teams kept playing very entertaining attacking rugby through to the bitter end but there was no more scores.

Final score: Harlow 47 Holt 12

A vast improvement from some of the woeful away trips this season! Holt were competitive in every department, especially the pack, who were all superb the entire match. A little more self- belief from the outset, and a bit more patience when in possession and it’s not unreasonable to suggest that the result could have been very different! The final score does not reflect how close the game was. Well done to all who played, both sides, an enthralling and entertaining afternoon, in what can only be described as bloody cold conditions!

MOTM Congratulations to our moongazer man of the match Charlie Cowling sponsored by Birketts. Once more for his ability to down a pint quicker than anyone else!
DOTD Freddie Carter, forgot he was supposed to lift cowling in the 11 man line out , causing some slight embarrassment!

Holt 2nds went down to Watton 23/11
Holt 3rds lost to Wymondham 43/0

This next weekend 22 February see only Holt 3rd in action where they travel to Southwold to play a game rearranged from 2 weeks ago. The following week 1 March however, is , as the TV like to say, SUPER SATURDAY as all 3 teams at home, The 1st play Rochford Hundred, the 2nds host Great Yarmouth and Broadland, the 3rds, in a change to the fixture lists, host Norwich 2nds.

All kick offs are 3PM as from March 1st.

The day will also see a fund raising effort in aid of MND. The first team shirts, made specially for the day, will be auctioned off, so come prepared, cash and cards are both acceptable means of buying your favorite players shirt!. See social media and the Holt web site for more details.