London north east division 2 SWF 8 Holt 19

South Woodham approached this game in confident mood after an impressive performance and win at Norwich last week and within the first minute had a chance to lead but the penalty attempt from Cumbers was foiled in the strong cross wind. Both teams found the conditions hard to cope with and the game was stuck in midfield for long periods with neither team unable to build any continuity.
Holt and SWF both had penalty opportunities in the first half hour but kicking was difficult in the wind but finally Cumbers put SWF ahead on the 30th minute from a penalty. SWF ahead 3-0. Holts superior handling of the conditions around the breakdown was beginning to give the Norfolk team the edge and after some good phases the lively Holt scrum half avoided the defence and scored a fine individual try under the posts which was converted. This left the scores at half time SWF 3 Holt 7.

The second half began with SWF raising their efforts and after one offence too many Holt were reduced to 14 men when their hooker was sinbinned. This led to renewed pressure from the SWF pack and finally prop Langley crashed over from close range. Not converted, the scores stood at SWF 8 Holt 7. This should have led to SWF pushing for victory but it was Holt who raised their game scored another brace of penalties to edge ahead 13-8. Again SWF hammered away at Holts line but Holts defending was tenacious and well marshalled and this was most exemplified when the blind side flanker put in a try saving tackle and ripped the ball away all in one movement. As the game neared its end Holt were uplifted by their defending and finished the game the stronger, controlling the ball and SWF got on the wrong side of the referee and conceded too many penalties 2 of which were converted to leave the final score SWF 8 Holt 19 and deny SWF even the consolation of a losing bonus point.

SWF will be surely disappointed but Holt did deserve their victory and SWF will need to up their levels for their next encounter away to table toppers Ipswich next Saturday

Squad - Neil Gittos Capt, David Langley, Lewis Gilbert, James Wilson, Paul Morgan, Ryan Marshall, David Bull, Joseph Dukelow, Ryan Cumbers, Curtis Apthorp, Jordan Harper, James Price, Warren Duggan, Andrew Jenkins, Greg Tighe, Philip Lockwood, Dale Borthwick.

Report by N Dukelow