Holbrook start season with a win

Holbrook got off to the perfect start to the season with a 22-0 shut out victory over what was considered to be a strong Haywards Heath side.  Holbrook with a number of changes of personnel from last season and with some young players thrown into the mix put on a tremendous display on a hot sunny day at their North Heath Lane ground.

Holbrook started the stronger with a physical display up front led by man of the match Billy Brown playing his debut for the club charging through the Heath defence and creating opportunities for the Holbrook backs to gain territory.  The first score came early on after the ball was spun wide and smart play by winger Nick Holt, who chipped over the Heath defence for a speedy Lee Taylor to touch down before the ball crossed the dead ball line.  Heath had the upper hand in the rucking & mauling aspect of the game but their backs couldn't take advantage, with numerous passing & handling errors and a solid Holbrook defence giving them no clear opportunities throughout the game.  Holbrook further increased their lead when Lee Taylor kicked up field and the bounce of the ball evaded the Heath last defender and back into the grateful hands of Taylor who had followed up his kick to score under the posts.  This try was converted by Holt to give the home team a half time lead of twelve points.

Holbrook were buoyed by their first half performance and determined not to let the opposition into the game, turned the screw at the start of the second half dominating territory and possession.  The first 15 minutes were almost exclusively spent in the Heath 22 as Holbrook looked for a further score to take the game out the visitors reach.  The next score was from an unlikely avenue, as centre Andy Etherington stepped inside and converted an audacious drop goal that took Holbrook beyond two scores.  The remainder of the game showed great commitment from the Holbrook defence, as they gave the visitors little chance to attack and Heath became more & more desperate in their attempts to get out of their own half.  One such passage of play resulted in an interception by Nick Holt who celebrated Holbrooks third try by touching down and converting, for the final points of the game. 

A convincing victory against tough opposition but there is plenty of scope for improvement and lots to look forward to in the coming season.