Holt 26, Stowmarket 22IN their first home game of the season Holt followed up last season's double success over Stowmarket with a win at High Kelling, their first of the campaign.

Holt 26, Stowmarket 22

IN their first home game of the season Holt followed up last season's double success over Stowmarket with a win at High Kelling, their first of the campaign.

Holt played against the wind in the first half and looked to contain opponents who had won both their previous two league games.

Holt made the early running, giving Stowmarket little time to settle. When a five-metre scrum was won against the head, Gibbs scored, Allen on target with the conversion. Holt were 7-0 ahead after eight minutes.

In an immediate response Stowmarket kicked a penalty to reduce the lead to 7-3.

Holt settled to play good attacking rugby and increased their lead after 24 minutes when Derek Calverley ran in to score (converted Allen) to lead 14-3.

Stowmarket attacked and Holt had a let-off five minutes before half-time when a penalty kick was missed.

Stowmarket started the second half by putting Holt under pressure and their centre sliced through the home defence to score a try, which was converted, reducing the lead to 14-10.

This was the wake-up call Holt needed and following a positive spell of attack, Self finished off the move to score a try which was not converted.

A lead of 19-10 it was by no means a safe margin and again Stowmarket went on the attack, and following a charged-down kick the same centre was on hand to score his second try.

The conversion was successful and the lead had been cut back to 19-17, still with 18 minutes to go.

Holt again roused themselves and went back on the offensive and after 25 minutes were rewarded following a five metre scrum.

Child broke with ball and nobody was going to stop him from scoring a well-taken try. Allen kicked an excellent conversion to increase the lead to 26-17.

Holt were then reduced to 14 men when one of their players was yellow carded. Stowmarket missed with a penalty kick, but the same centre - proving to be a thorn in the side - completed his hat-trick of tries. The conversion was on target and Holt led 26-22 with 12 minutes remaining.

Despite being one player short they took the game to their opponents but were unable to increase their slender lead. With time ticking away Stowmarket again broke out of defence and looked dangerous but Holt, back to 15 men, snuffed out the threat.

On Saturday, Holt are on the road again, this time to Newmarket for a league encounter.

Their opponents won promotion back into Eastern Counties One at the end of last season and have won one more game than Holt, who normally have a good record at Newmarket.