Holt 8 Old Cooperians 25

Holt got their season back on track after three straight defeats with a deserved win in Upminster. Tigerish tackling by the home side kept the score down and prevented Holt earning a bonus point from this hard-fought game.

Holt started confidently and were soon three points up after a penalty converted by Jackson. Old Cooperians quickly responded when a loose ball was kicked through and they won the race to the touch down to make it 5-3.

The Holt pack started to produce a steady flow of good possession and, following a well executed driving maul, wing-forward Sutch touched down for an unconverted try to make the score 5-8. The home side drew level with a penalty before the Holt forwards combined well to put away winger Riley whose score was converted by Jackson, taking the score to 8-15 at half-time.

Although Holt dominated the possession in the second half they found it very difficult to breach the home side's well organised defence.

Eventually, after sustained pressure, Holt's centre Mears took the ball at pace and crashed over the line for a try with the conversion by Jackson making it 8-22. Holt continued to dominate and sealed their win with another Jackson penalty making the score 8-25 at the final whistle.

The Holt Woodfordes man of the match was prop Dayne Canning who impressed with his scrummaging and ball-carrying skills.

Other results: Holt II 19 Norwich II 27, Crusaders II 61 Holt III 0.