Newmarket 23, Holt 0Holt had the double completed over them by the unbeaten leaders but were by no means disgraced by the result, and against lesser sides would probably have won.

Newmarket 23, Holt 0

Holt had the double completed over them by the unbeaten leaders but were by no means disgraced by the result, and against lesser sides would probably have won.

Holt drop back to fifth place in the league and on Saturday are away to Fakenham for the third time of asking, as the weather has caused postponements in earlier efforts to play the game

Holt won the first derby encounter at home 10-9 with an unconvincing display, only getting the points with a late conversion.

At Newmarket at the weekend, the weather and pitch were perfect. Holt from the start took the game to their opponents, not overawed but knowing that Newmarket would be dangerous in possession.

Holt's defence was equal to the occasion when their hosts made forays into their half and kept them at bay. The game was quite equal for the first 25 minutes, then Newmarket showed their attacking skills by spinning the ball wide for their full- back to run through rather a large gap in the Holt defence to score a converted try.

Holt came back at their opponents but after 32 minutes were penalised for crossing and Newmarket extended their lead to 10-0.

Newmarket were looking dangerous and five minutes later, following a chip ahead, their full-back caught the ball on the bounce and ran through to score under the posts. The conversion a formality, Holt were 17-0 in arrears.

On the stroke of half-time Holt missed

a penalty.

The second half started with a Newmarket player being sin-binned, but when fly-half Brown was injured and had to leave the field, it necessitated some juggling with the Holt back division.

Newmarket kept up the pressure and after 10 minutes they converted a penalty for a high tackle, increasing their lead to 20-0 and getting back to 15 players.

Holt went back at their opponents and were awarded a penalty a minute later, which again was just off target. Holt kept playing some determined rugby, but without being able to penetrate a solid defence.

After 25 minutes Newmarket rubbed more salt into Holt's wounds by converting another penalty.

This further setback inspired Holt to play some of their best rugby of the match and for the last quarter they besieged Newmarket in their 22, but the break through would not come.

Allen managed to cross the line, only to be held up, and the ensuing scrum

went against the head to the defending side, as did another similar scrum moments later.

Despite all the pressure, Newmarket kept a clean sheet, which did not fully reflect Holt's contribution to the enjoyment of the game.

Holt's third team recorded a much-needed win at Broadland by 17-5 in the Woodforde's Norfolk Merit Table Two.