Holt 37 Diss 5

This traditional Easter Saturday game for the Harrison Cup resulted in a win for Holt due to their impressive second half performance.

In keeping with the spirit of the day, both sides rested several of their first team players and involved players from their lower and Colts sides.

The large crowd of 400 plus were entertained by the open festival rugby which both sides were keen to play. Holt introduced several young players from their very successful Colts side, Alex Storey, Jack Webster, Tom Springall and Alistair Hughes, all of whom caught the eye with their fitness and mature play.

Holt took the lead after five minutes with a penalty converted by Tom Jackson who went on to convert two further penalties and four tries to give a masterclass in goal kicking skills.

The first half was disjointed with several penalties conceded by both sides and three yellow cards shown by the referee, two of which were awarded against Holt forwards for offside and not rolling away.

The game livened up when Holt full back Geoff Flathers outwitted the Diss defence with a good break and fed winger Tom Sarnes, who touched down for a try, with the Jackson conversion making the score 10-0. Holt increased their lead after 35 minutes with a Jackson penalty which was followed by some strong pressure from Diss who wrong-footed the Holt defence for a try scored by Jamie Burroughs which made the half- time score 13-5.

Ten minutes into the second half Holt increased their lead to 16-5 with a penalty by Tom Jackson who then eased past three Diss players before feeding James Riley, whose scorching pace beat the rest of the Diss defence for another try converted by Jackson taking the score to 23-5.

Despite the score, Diss were always in the game and their experienced players, including Burroughs and West, led by example and kept the Holt defence on their toes.

As the second half progressed Holt began to dominate the forward play with new recruits Laddiman and man-of-the-match Denton to the fore.

A tap down from a line-out close to the Diss line was collected by Henry Harrison who crashed over for a try converted by Jackson, bringing the score to 30-5.

Alistair Hughes capped a fine debut at fly-half with a daring dummy which opened the Diss defence, enabling him to touch down under the posts. Jackson converted, giving Holt two points to make the final score 37-5.

After the game Edward Harrison, the elder statesman of the Harrison family, presented the Harrison Cup to Holt's captain Bruce van-Poortvliet and thanked both teams for their skilful play and enthusiasm.

The Holt side included his grandsons. brothers Henry and Joe, and two other pairs of brothers, James and Hal Riley and James and Jeremy Seaman.

On April 16 at Holt the two teams will hope to be at full strength for their second league encounter of the season.

Holt were well beaten earlier in the season when Diss were enjoying a fine run of form.