Within ten minutes Angus Clogg kicked a Woodbridge penalty and James Wyatt did likewise for Holt. Woodbridge worked hard in the ruck, turning over a few and pressing the home line until a penalty allowed Holt to clear up-field, Wyatt with a great carry. Another Woodbridge penalty in their 22, No 8 James Seaman secured the scrum for Holt and fast hands moved the ball wide to winger Ollie Woodrow who nearly made the line. Another scrum and more quick ball from fly half Geoff Flather saw second row Rob Gray interplay with Woodrow and score.
Moments later Holt was fighting out of its own 22 when Clogg intercepted a pass from his opposite number Gareth May to level the score. JP Hart grub-kicked for territory in the blustery breeze and Jeff Buchanan ran back the clearance but the Holt defence held firm forcing the visitors to each wing. Wyatt took a high ball and ran 50m where May found touch on the 5m line where a poor line-out let Holt Skipper Ashley Woods intercept and score.
May was at it again from the off with a charging run but a penalty gave the Warriors more traction Capt Tom Stokes putting in a gallop then Hart scampering out wide. Eventually Clogg took another three points after some energetic rucking.
From the restart No8 Jono Cooke rallied his forwards as they scrummaged under the Holt posts only for a penalty to scupper the move and see Holt counter through a lightning sprint from right wing Henry Fowler and Rob Gray put in a strong carry. With Holt down a man in the bin the Warriors attacked through Cooke, Stokes and Adam Plummer but aggressive rucking allowed Holt to clear. Woodbridge kept it up, Clogg missing a penalty, but Holt got some possession, Flower threatened on the right and some great forward play won a penalty for Wyatt to take another 3 points. With five points in it Woodbridge tried valiantly to breach the home defence but Holt held firm and, despite the pressure, the combat remained good-natured as it ended 18-13.
Leave a Reply