Thank you to Martyn Jackson for the match report below following yesterday's 1st XV game. Just before reading the details, here is a post-match report from Head Coach Phil Sharpe: "Player availability hit us hard this week, it demonstrated the need for continued development of depth in our squad. I am pleased that the boys stood up and defended like Trojans on their line, repeatedly frustrating the opposition. The leadership shown by Tom Jackson and Oli Denton made a big impact, maintaining the team's composure and positive motivation. scott Kennedy's hard work with the forwards saw a step up from the players, continually looking to problem solve. Credit to Saffron Walden who are deservedly at the top of the league. We very much look forward to seeing them at Bridge Road.

Post-match Club Chairman Rob Hughes said "This was a valiant performance against a very good side. We really look forward to fielding a fully available 1st XV for the return fixture.

Please click here to view the 2nd XV photos, courtesy of Simon Watson Photography.

Round 10 of the league saw Holt on the road for the 2nd successive week, the longest away trip of the season to Saffron Walden, currently sitting on top of the league with a 100% record of 9 wins and 9 bonus points, a daunting task. The big question was, had last week's magnificent performance against 2nd place Bury St Edmunds managed to get rid of Holts away game demons? The answer? Yes .....and, No!

A minute's silence was held before the kickoff.

Holt kicked off up the SW 22, the ball was fumbled gifting Holt a scrum. A sign of things to come saw Holt go backwards at the set piece, SW penalty. SW kicked up to Holts 10m line, won the line out but knocked on. Again, the impressive SW pack drove Holt backwards, but this time were penalised. Brooke kicked up to the SW 10m line, the line out was won, the ball was quickly moved through the hands to Ollie Woodrow who beat his man to score in the corner. Brooke missed the kick. 7 mins SW 0 Holt 5.

From the kickoff, a game of cat and mouse ensued with both teams trying to gain an advantage with tactical kicking, SW eventually securing a line out on the Holt 22, winning the line out they moved the ball through the hands going over for a try which was converted. 16 mins SW 7 Holt 5.

From the kickoff Holt infringed, the SW penalty was kicked up 10m out. The SW drive was held up on the line giving Holt a try line drop out. SW fielded the ball safely, moving it across the pitch one way then quickly back the other to go over for their 2nd try. The conversion missed. 20 mins SW 12 holt 5.

Another lengthy period of both teams attacking trying to break down good defence being displayed by both sides saw Holt gain a scrum on SW 10m line. Once again the superb SW pack drove Holt backwards gaining a penalty which SW buried into Holts 22. SW won the line and powered their way over the line for SW 3rd try. The kick was missed. 34 mins SW 17 Holt 5.

From the kickoff Holt were awarded a penalty about 35 m in front of the SW posts, they chose to go for the points but the kick missed. SW counter-attacked but the Holt defence was equal to the job forcing SW into touch on halfway. From the line out Holt ran several pick and go phases forcing SW backwards into their 22 and gaining a penalty about 10m out from the try line. Holt ran the penalty the ball finding its way to Pete Medler who scored the try. The kick missed. 40 mins SW 17 Holt 10.

SW kicked off deep into the Holt 22 and the ball went dead giving Holt a scrum on the halfway line, no great advantage though as SW once more powered Holt backwards SW winning the ball. SW ran the ball through the hands, Holt stopping the attack about 15m out from the line. Holt were awarded a scrum for a knock on, but, once again went backwards; penalty to SW which they took quickly and scored in the corner. The kick was good. 45 mins SW 24 Holt 10, Half time.

A very entertaining and eventful half, in which Holt playing very well and with great spirit, but being absolutely annihilated in the set piece scrums, and increasingly in the line outs by a frankly magnificent SW pack.

As was to be expected SW used the advantage of their pack very efficiently from the kickoff. A penalty kicked Holt back into their 22, SW won the line out and drove for the line, great commitment from the Holt defence kept SW out. Prop Chris Hill was injured and taken off, Rob Grey taking his place in the front row. Holt were awarded a 5m scrum, but would the much larger Grey slow SW down? No, SW drove Holt backwards for a push over try. The kick went over. 10mins SW 31 Holt 10.

SW infringed from the kickoff, and Brooke kicked SW back to 10m out. SW infringed again at the line out, the penalty was run, with Jakob Coe crossing for Holt's 3rd try. The kick missed. 11 mins SW 31 Holt 15.

SW once again kicked Holt deep back into their own half. The very limited possession Holt were getting meant that to gain any advantage they had to run everything. Unfortunately, in trying to run out from his own 22, Tom Jackson threw a wide pass out meant for his winger, sadly the SW number 5 was in the way and gleefully snapped up the interception to gallop over under the posts. The conversion was good. 15 mins SW 38 Holt 15.

Another period of absorbing play followed, SW by now were winning every scrum, regardless whose put in it was, and also starting to dominate the line outs. Holt were scrapping for turn over balls and doing very well at it, forcing SW backwards through a selection of good tactical kicking, and good pick and go phases from the forwards. Another Holt attack saw Medler taken out with a high tackle right in front of SW posts about 25 m out. The SW player received a yellow card for his efforts. Brooke kicked Holt into the corner. SW infringed and Holt were awarded a free kick. Nick Harding powered forwards and crashed over for Holt's 4th, and bonus point try. Brooke converted. 30 mins SW 38 Holt 22.

Again, both teams threw everything at each other, SW comfortably winning the set pieces, Holt winning the loose phases, but the constant scrapping was starting to pay on the Holt players who were tiring. SW eventually broke the superb Holt defence to score under the posts. The conversion was successful. 42 mins SW 45 Holt 22.

There was time for Holt to launch one more assault on the SW line, but unfortunately a knock on, on the 5 m line, stopped it. Final score SW 45 Holt 22.

So, did Holt bury their away game demons? Yes definitely, they played very well, with great commitment and spirit, but SW were just too good. They were extremely well drilled and with their dominant pack, they made Holt's job just too difficult. However, Holts 4 try bonus point moved them level on points with Bury St Edmunds, so Holt go into their next game, a home fixture against Catabrigans on Nov 26th (2pm kickoff) in equal 2nd position in the league on points, but with a slightly inferior points difference to Bury. Bury however, who lost on Saturday to Wymondham, have the daunting prospect of playing SW on the same day.

Scorers: Nick Harding, Jakob Coe, Pete Medler, Ollie Woodrow
Ben Brooke 1 conversion.

Congratulations to our Moongazerale Man of the Match Pete Medler, for his superb all-round game, never giving up despite constant pressure - not easy for a scrum half when his forwards are bullied like Holt's were yesterday in the set piece!

Dick of the Day went to Tom Jackson for his superb try scoring pass to the SW no 5!

After our rest weekend, Saturday 26th is our next HOME PRE-MATCH LUNCH, when the 1st XV entertain Cantabrigans, and the 2nds also play at HOME against Southwold 2s. Thank you to StuLee for being our next pre-match sponsors. Please book your pre-match lunch with Mike Bush in the usual way by emailing him - click here to book now!