# Southwold RFC 47–38 Holt

Wold win nine-try thriller in the sunshine on The Common

A beautiful Saturday afternoon on Southwold Common could hardly have been more different from the gale-force rain of the previous week’s trip to Norwich. Thankfully, the rugby was just as much of a contrast, as Southwold and Holt served up a thrilling 85-point encounter.

We welcomed Holt back to our league after a couple of difficult seasons at Level 6, and it was great to renew acquaintances with old foes who are very much good friends.

The home side made a strong start, putting Holt under immediate pressure and earning a penalty which was kicked to the corner. A well-executed driving maul from the lineout saw Harvey Fuller emerge with the opening try. The Wold were 7–0 up.

Holt responded in kind. A penalty gave them the opportunity to kick to the corner, and their own driving maul brought the scores level at 7–7.

Southwold soon regained the lead. A quick penalty allowed the Wold to build through the phases, before Harvey Fuller broke through several tackles to dive over near the posts. At 14–7, the home side were back in front.

The Southwold scrum was beginning to dominate, providing a strong platform for the backs. Good handling moved the ball wide before coming back inside to Luke Wade, who finished well to extend the lead to 21–7.

Holt showed they were not going to make life easy. Their second row broke through the line and fed their number 12, who scored under the posts to make it 21–14.

The Wold had the final say of the half, though. Another lineout provided the platform, with the ball moved out to the backs and Tom Keeble breaking the line to score. Southwold went into half-time with a healthy 28–14 advantage.

The second half began in much the same attacking spirit. Following a Holt clearance, Southwold moved the ball through the hands and Archie Taylor finished in the corner to make it 35–14.

More good phase play followed from the Wold, with Luke Wade completing the move in the corner for his second try and extending the lead to 40–14.

But Holt were far from finished. They found space through the Southwold defence to score in the corner, before a grubber through from another spell of possession brought a further try. Suddenly, the score was 40–24.

A strong Holt scrum then created another opportunity, as they broke through the midfield and capitalised on missed tackles to score under the posts. At 40–31, the visitors were right back in the contest.

Southwold needed a response, and it came from the forwards. Driving Holt backwards in the scrum, George Turner picked up the ball and crossed for a crucial try, taking the score to 47–31.

Holt continued to fight until the very end. A quick penalty in the final play put Southwold under pressure, and despite some excellent Wold defence, the visitors managed one last score to bring the final result to 47–38.

It was a fantastic game of rugby, with plenty of attacking ambition, nine tries and entertainment for everyone watching. Southwold will be delighted to come away with the win, while Holt certainly played their part in a cracking contest.

A great afternoon on The Common, and a pleasure to share the pitch with old foes and great friends. We look forward to making the return trip to Holt in February — although we suspect the weather may not be quite so kind!

**Full-time: Southwold 47–38 Holt**

Arn the Wold! ??