Holt 44 - 12 Fakenham 11.12.21 London 3 Eastern Counties

Holt 44 – 12 Fakenham 11.12.21

The eleventh round of London 3 Eastern Counties fixtures saw Fakenham 1st XV travel the short distance to Holt for a local derby. Holt ran out 11 – 6 winners in poor conditions at the Stringer Ground earlier in the season. With a drier day forecast this time round, it promised to offer some more entertaining rugby for the large crowd watching on after a pre-match luncheon.

Fakenham started well, spending time in the Holt half. They made ground via some strong pick and gos through the middle of rucks and in tight around the fringes. However, Fakenham could not make their possession count and gave away a penalty for holding on, allowing Holt to move down the pitch by kicking to touch.

Holt were far more clinical with their possession. One try was soon followed by another as they kept hold of the ball well and strong forward carrying was complemented by incisive running from the back line. Neither try was converted, to leave the score 10 – 0.

A penalty following the restart gave Fakenham the chance to kick to touch and take a lineout 10 metres from the Holt line. A good move sent second row Adam Lingwood down the 5 metre channel where he managed to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Fakenham hoped that this would give them a foothold in the game, however this was not to be the case. Holt continued as they had before, holding onto the ball and working through phases, culminating in their second row going over underneath the posts, followed by a successful conversion.

The Holt scrum was dominant throughout the game. After a series of frustrating scrums, high tempers saw Fakenham receive a yellow for pushing. Taking advantage of the extra man, Holt continued to assert their pack dominance, opting for a scrum at any given opportunity. This paid dividends as they eventually scored a bonus point try before half time. The score at the turnaround was 22 – 5.

Fakenham needed to score first after half time and outside centre Murray Tindal took the ball well in the air to give them a chance. However, they could not hold on to the ball and Holt once again took advantage. Their left winger showed good power and pace to go past a few players before putting boot to ball and winning the foot race to the line, getting just enough downward pressure to score the try.

Holt kept up their performance levels. A good take in the air from Holt at the restart gave them the chance to break down the left wing. Only a good challenge from Tindal tracking back stopped them short, but a Fakenham knock on deemed deliberate by the referee led to another yellow card. With the ball on the Fakenham 5 metre line, Holt again opted for the scrum, which they continued to dominate. Fakenham managed to stop them once, but eventually Holt’s ascendancy told and they went over to score again. A successful conversion took the score to 34 – 5.

With Fakenham still down to 14, Holt took advantage wide on their right of the space available to run in a try from their own half. Another Holt try after a strong run through the middle soon followed. Both conversions were unsuccessful.

Despite the score line, Fakenham continued to fight. Holt gave away a couple of penalties to allow Fakenham to kick to touch and attack from within the Holt 22. For one of the few times in the game Fakenham managed to retain possession and go through the phases well, showing what they are capable of with ball in hand. Fly half Luke Boynes stepped a couple of players, broke through another tackle and powered his way over the line to score with a couple of minutes to go. Tindal was successful with his conversion and, after no more scores, the game finished 44 – 12.

A disappointing result for Fakenham, but they were beaten by a Holt side who showed why they are top of the league. The Barsham Brewery Man of the Match was number eight Rob Ward, who carried well throughout the game, making yards, and impressively recovering the ball from the back of a scrum that was often going backwards.

The next league fixture is in the new year, as the 1st XV host Ely at the Stringer Ground on January 15th. Until then, Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year.