Holt RFC slipped to a narrow 8-7 defeat at the hands of Diss second team in the annual fixture for the Harrison Cup. Holt played with the wind for the first half and put their opponents under continuous pressure, with chances going begging.

Holt RFC slipped to a narrow 8-7 defeat at the hands of Diss second team in the annual fixture for the Harrison Cup.

Holt played with the wind for the first half and put their opponents under continuous pressure, with chances going begging.

Half-time arrived with a blank scoreboard and considering the possession Holt had enjoyed, they must have felt slightly rueful as to what would happen in the second half playing against the wind.

These doubts were put aside when, after two minutes, following a mark in his 22, Allen took a quick tap and following a quick passing movement, Bruce Van Poortvliet made ground up the left wing. He fed Allen for him to score a well taken try by the posts. The conversion was a formality and Holt were 7-0 up.

This stung Diss into an immediate response and three minutes later their flanker took possession and raced up the wing to score in the corner. The conversion was missed but the lead had been cut to 7-5.

Three minutes later Holt did not help their cause when they were penalised at a maul and from the ensuing penalty kick they found themselves in arrears.

The game and Holt's tenure of The Harrison Cup gradually slipped away and at the end of a hard fought contest the hosts were left to reflect on what might have been.