Union unable to cope with a strong Holt team

In a game affected by some awful weather conditions, Holt proved too strong for Union who conceded four unanswered first half tries, which were mainly from turnover ball, their opponents taking their chances well and moving the ball with some slick handling by both their backs and forwards.

The second half was a different affair with Holt only able to score a single try, no doubt much to do with a man of the match performance by Simon Pitcher who dominated his opposite number in the scrum, his performance only boosted by sustained and frankly uncalled for profane barracking by some of the travelling Holt supporters, who should be ashamed of themselves and be reminded that Rugby prides itself in being a game for all shapes and sizes!

Holt started the game with a bang, the inclement conditions appearing not to make a difference to their desire to ship the ball quickly from the point of contact. Their first try coming with less than 5mins on the clock, which was duly converted giving them an early seven point lead.
Following a rallying speech by both captain Matt Spenceley and player-coach Jay O’Brien Union bolstered their defences and despite being pinned in their own half for much of the first quarter their defences held. It was in fact a Union attack on the 30-minute mark that resulted in a Holt try as they turned over the ball at a ruck deep into Holt territory and quickly moved the ball, interplay down the 15m line between the forwards allowing their 8 a canter in from 20m out for their second try.

Holt’s third try came from a turnover in what looked like a promising attack, this time the ball was shipped quickly to the right wing who scored in the corner, which was duly converted to take the score to 0-21.

Holt’s fourth and last try of the half came again from a turnover at the breakdown as Union again coughed up the ball, which Holt used to great effect, this time working down the left flank and scoring in the corner, the conversion missing resulting in a half time score of 0-26.

With the weather conditions worsening and the light closing in the second half was an attritional affair, a combination of a dominant scrum and some excellent defending by Union thwarted all but one attack by the visitors who were limited to a single unconverted second half try.
Next up for Union is an away fixture against Fakenham, where the team hope to record their first away win of the season, kick off will be 2pm and spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer the team on.

Team: Martyn Webb, Ben Bond-Webster, Chris Spenceley, Jordan Read, John Spicker, Joe Morrell, Jake Rodwell, Matt Spenceley, Lloyd Davis, Jay O’Brien, Graham Hunt, David Sheldon-Smillie, Ryan Day, Callum Slaughter, Matt O’Brien

Replacements: Simon Pitcher, Matt McLaughlin, Alex Sinclair

Whalebone Man of the match: Simon Pitcher