Superb win for Holbrook against Seaford secures Holbrook’s first ever cup final!!

As the rain picked up pace, the wind was soon to follow suit, but despite horrid memories of last season’s semi final loss “In the mud” bouncing around the changing room, the mood unsurprisingly was full of confidence and belief. But this came as no surprise as this season has seen Holbrook grow as a team with any negative thoughts being quickly dispelled by self belief, a trait our current sqaud of players have under new head coach Steve Heaton.

Holbrook played with the wind first half, and with a solid catch and drive from veteran lock Mark Devlin it was clear Holbrook’s intent was a purposeful one as Holbrook charged up the field gaining 30 yards, but like so many times this season a momentary lack of concentration saw the ball stolen by Seaford’s stalwart Newbie who was quick to offload to his high flying winger to score under the post. This would only spur Holbrook on who were on level terms within minutes of conceding when prop Shadbolt cutting an audacious line crashed over for an equalizer, this seemed to be the spark Holbrook were looking for. Holbrook’s Scrum/lineout started too dominate along with control around the contact area, this allowed the backs to play some attractive free flowing rugby, and from this Holbrook was quick to score again, when Ben Wells scored in the corner having shown great vision, pace to beat two defenders before scoring wide out right of the posts.

Seaford seemed to be struggling to contain this constant threat and soon found themselves defending a lineout on the 10 yard line, from this Holbrook drove Seaford back to score, once again Shadbolt taking the spoils (Damn that boys good!) At this point it seemed to be plain sailing for Holbrook.

But no team should ever underestimate Seaford, who true to form started to find there Mojo, this gave Seaford an opportunity to play some attractive rugby, which allowed their backs to put a few move together thus really starting to stretch Holbrook’s defense, but Holbrook’s backs ruled the roost, where able to disrupt and at times turn over Seaford’s ball, allowing Holbrook’s defense not to be breached, despite this period of pressure it was Holbrook who scored again when Chris Collier benefiting from a solid Scrum dived over from close range.

The second half in short was dominated by Holbrook’s back row. Holbrook continued to control scrum/lineout, contact area but failed to find the spark they had in the first half. Seaford continued to plug away but with too many unforced errors never really seemed to find that groove they had towards the later part of the first half. So with the weather starting to really hamper any real chance of free flowing rugby, it was left to the forwards to seal the victory when another dominant Scrum saw Holbrook drive Seaford over there line for my man of the match Sley to secure the victory with a well executed try. The remainder of the game seemed to be played on an even field until several minutes from the end Seaford scored a well deserved consolation try.

I like to thank all the supporters for turning up to support in such horrid conditions and thanks to Seaford for a great game.

SEE YOU ALL AT THE CUP FINAL ON THE 18TH MARCH AT HORSHAM RFC..!