Sat saw Holt once more out on the road for the comparatively short journey to Stowmarket, hoping for 2 things, one, their first win of the season, and secondly to avenge the mauling received there last year!

Holt kicked off, Stowmarket immediately returned the ball into the Holt half, from the line out Holt knocked on Stowmarket returned the favour from the scrum enabling Holt to gain possession first Tom Jackson then the forwards drove into the Stowmarket half, Jackson again took the ball on into the Stowmarket 22. The tackle was high Holt penalty 20m out. Holt took the option to kick for goal, Peter Medler was successful.

4 mins: Stowmarket 0 Holt 3

From the kick off Holt pressurised Stowmarket continuously, attacking with both forwards and backs, however never managing to get the final break, Stowmarket defended well, Medler broke from a line out and went over but was judged to have been held up. From the Stowmarket goal line drop out Holt attacked again, Stowmarket infringed on the 22. Holt chose once more to kick for goal, Medler again was successful.

17 mins: Stowmarket 0 Holt 6

Again Holt attacked from the restart, Jackson chipped the Stowmarket defence but failed to gather, Stowmarket were awarded a scrum on their 10m line but infringed. Holt once more decided to go for goal, Harry Steward stepped forward and was successful with the kick from 40m.

24 mins: Stowmarket 0 Holt 9

From the restart Holts forwards surged forward Gosden offloaded to Jackson on the 22 who charged through the Stowmarket defence to score Holts first try under the posts. Medler got the conversion.

26 mins: Stowmarket 0 Holt 16

Stowmarket charged forward from the restart but lost possession trying to attack with ball in hand from a scrum on Holts 22, Holt again charged forwards Stowmarket regained the ball in their own 22, they tried to break out, chipping the Holt defence but Jackson caught the chip through on the half way line and galloped forward, outpaced the Stowmarket defence, a try saving tackle in the corner was judged to have put Jackson into touch as he touched down. Holt infringed at the line out, Stowmarket cleared their lines to half way they drove from the line out and were awarded another penalty on Holts 10m line. A kick to the corner and a catch and drive delivered a Stowmarket try. The conversion missed.
34 mins: Stowmarket 5 Holt 16

From the kick off Holt gained a penalty, Medler drilled the ball into the Stowmarket 22. Jackson and Alex Horth combined to advance Holt further but lost the ball in the tackle, Stowmarket attacked from the scrum, Holt defending desperately gave away a penalty on their 5m line, Stowmarket tapped and crashed over for their second try. The conversion again missed.

41 mins: Stowmarket 10 Holt 16

Half Time

Stowmarket kicked off the second half, after a furious exchange of kicks Holt ended up with a line out on half way, winning possession Holt surged forwards, the ball moving through Jackson, Alex Horth, Tom Goose, Tom Thrower and eventually finding its way to Gosden who went over for Holts 2nd try. Medler was successful with the conversion.

4 mins: Stowmarket 10 Holt 23

Holt once more attacked from the restart, Charlie Howard was judged to clear out a ruck dangerously and was yellow carded. From the penalty in their own 22 Stowmarket kicked up to half way, the spread the ball wide from the line out but knocked on giving Holt a scrum about 30 out. Medler went blind, linked with Jackson who outpaced the Stowmarket defence, a good tackle bought him down on the Stowmarket 5m line but he managed to offload to Harry Yarbo who was tackled before he got the ball, the ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

Stowmarket: 10 Holt 30

The restart didn't go 10m. From the scrum, Charlie Gill, Jackson and Goose exchanged passes to cut through the Stowmarket defence Goose offloaded to Gill who completed the job, scoring Holts 4th, and bonus point, try. Medler was again successful with the conversion.

50 mins: Stowmarket 10 Holt 37

Holt promptly went to sleep and Stowmarket deservedly took charge scoring 2 tries to bring the score to Stowmarket 20 Holt 37 by the 70th min. Holt however gained their 2nd wind and took back control. They forced Stowmarket back into their own half, from a Stowmarket scrum on the Stowmarket 22 Holt gained a penalty, the charged forward and gained another 10m out, they spread it wide and Jackson went over for his 2nd try of the day. Medler got the conversion.

75 mins: Stowmarket 20 Holt 44

Yarbo caught the kick off and charged straight at the Stowmarket defence making great ground into the Stowmarket half, a Holt penalty 30m out enabled Medler to advance Holt forwards into the Stowmarket 22 a catch and drive was judged to be held up. From the goal line drop out Jackson got the ball in space and galloped over for his 3rd try . Medler missed the kick from way out wide.

80 mins: Stowmarket 20 Holt 49

Stowmarket kicked deep but Holt still charged forward eventually getting stopped on the half way line. A penalty was booted into touch by Gill to bring about full time.

Final score: Stowmarket 20 Holt 49

A good game, Holt showed, at times, just what they're capable off. Both backs and forwards played and linked well. Nerves were very obvious for the first 20mins. A bit more concentration and patience when in possession wouldn't go amiss at times! Overall though a very good win on the road. Well played.

MOTM Tom Jackson. A great all-round game. A total thorn in Stowmarket's side whenever he had the ball, caused problems for them all over the pitch

Holt 2nds shared over a hundred points with Medics at Bridge Rd and the final score Holt 52, Medics 55!

No games at all next Sat. Apparently, we all have to watch England. However, the following week sees the 1st XV home to Harlow, the 2nd XV home to Watton 1st XV, 2pm kick off remember now were in Nov! The 3rd XV are away to Crusaders 2nd XV.