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Third-generation Harrison is New Holt Captain

Third-generation Harrison is New Holt Captain

User 197691825 Jul 2019 - 09:56
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Henry takes over

He commands respect. Whenever he contributes, people will listen
- Ed Steed

Holt have kept it in the family by appointing Henry Harrison as First XV Captain for the forthcoming season. Back-row forward Henry is the Son and Grandson of club stalwarts Chris and Edward Harrison; both are former Holt RFC Chairmen. Henry will be joined in the first team by his brother Joe, who also plays in the back- row, and, later in the season, another brother Tom, a scrum-half is due to return from New Zealand.

Given this pedigree it is not surprising that Henry started his playing career with the club. He does however admit to a spell with rivals North Walsham before leaving to study at Newcastle University. After graduating with a degree in Countryside Management in 2016 he returned to Norfolk and joined Brown & Co as an agricultural business consultant. He has been a key member of Holt’s first team ever since, and can turn out as hooker as well as flanker.
Senior coach Ed Steed describes his strengths in the following terms: “ Henry is a no-nonsense open-side flanker, first to every breakdown. He has great skills in both ball protection and ball stealing – he is a jackal, to use the fashionable term today. He reads the game well, always anticipating what is going to happen”. Henry is an obvious choice as captain since, to quote Ed “He commands respect. Whenever he contributes, people will listen”.

Henry had always wanted to captain Holt and although the opportunity has come sooner than he expected he feels that he has been lucky to inherit a confident and settled side. Last season Holt’s first team were promoted and will now play in London North East 2 where they will enjoy a succession of local derby's starting away at Norwich on 14th September. Holt’s seconds and thirds were also promoted and the club itself was awarded the overall distinction of Eastern Counties Club of the Year.

Last season’s First XV captain Ashley Woods is available to lead the forwards and outside-half Tom Jackson will serve as Henry’s vice-captain. All of Holt’s young three-quarters should be available, University commitments permitting, so the Club’s exciting rugby will continue to attract good crowds at Bridge Road. Henry Harrison says “We have more than enough potential in the squad to compete in the league we are in”. However he will be trying to play a faster game. In their promotion run Holt were fortunate to play a number of sides who clearly lacked mobility and they will not have this luxury in the new league.

Ben Perowne, a scrum-half who has also developed his rugby through the club, has moved up from the third XV to captain the second XV. He is hopeful that playing in a higher league will lead to fewer cancellations from opponents, thus ensuring that more players get regular rugby.

All in all the Bridge Road club is in good shape with former England prop Gareth Chilcott the guest speaker at the Annual Dinner on November 7th and World Cup referee Nigel Owens due to speak at a Celebration Day in June 2020.

Pre-season training has now started and, after the away game at Norwich, Holt’s first home match will be at Bridge Road on 21st September – kick-off at 1500, when Ipswich will be the visitors.

A slightly different version of this article appeared in the the North Norfolk News on 25th July 2019

Text Martyn Sloman Picture of Henry Harrison in action by Stuart Young

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