Holt 0, Wymondham 7HOLT entertained Wymond-ham at High Kelling as a curtain-raiser to the new season. Holt had already played three pre-season matches against Southwold, Norwich and West Norfolk, winning the first two and losing the last one.

Holt 0, Wymondham 7

HOLT entertained Wymond-ham at High Kelling as a curtain-raiser to the new season.

Holt had already played three pre-season matches against Southwold, Norwich and West Norfolk, winning the first two and losing the last one.

Here they were playing the trail blazers from last season in Eastern Counties One and were looking to redress the results from then when their opponents had finished with a 100 per cent record.

Holt were under new skipper Jake Van Poortvliet and were fielding new signings Girling and Calkin, who could well form a new half-back pairing.

The conditions were favourable, but with the risk of showers, lending themselves to a good open game, especially as Wymondham had come with a reputation and it was up to Holt to show they had benefited from their new coaching partnership of Steed and Fletcher.

Holt had a set-back in the seventh minute when they were penalised in their half for not releasing. And

from the quickly-taken penalty, Wymondham caught Holt on the hop and their left winger raced in for a well-taken try, which was converted to give them a seven-point lead.

Holt then spent the majority of the first half in their opponents' end of the field and although playing well against opposition who were now a league above them, could not make the penetration to open their account.

Allen was just off target with a

long-range penalty in the 17th minute and the half ended with no further change to the score.

The second half saw Wymondham putting Holt under pressure but, as has been the case so often, the home side's defence was superb and there was no way their line was going to be crossed.

The game ended with the same scoreline of 7-0 to Wymondham, but Holt can feel proud of the way they played and they were certainly no pushover for their opponents.

The signs are certainly there for Holt to have a successful season, and with a squad of over 20 to pick from, Jake Van Poortvliet and his coaching team will be spoilt for choice.

On Saturday, Holt are away to old rivals Lowestoft & Yarmouth in the opening league game of the season and they will certainly be looking for revenge after the double defeat they suffered at their opponents' hands last season - although the return match at Lowestoft could have gone either way right up to the final whistle, especially as Holt had been calling the tune for most of the game.