Campion 15 Holt 11

Holt travelled to Campion in buoyant mood, despite a month-long break in their league schedule, only to suffer a narrow defeat.

The visitors found themselves under immediate pressure when the home side's fly-half ran in to score a fine individual try from 40m out following the kick-off. The try was converted from in front of the posts and the early seven-point lead would prove to be crucial in what was a fiercely-contested match.

The first half saw Holt dominate at the set-piece with Joe Harrison throwing well in the lineout and the forwards on the front foot in the scrums. Campion's defensive line was made to work hard in the opening exchanges as the Owls held possession for long periods and threatened the home side's try line.

After seven minutes Holt were rewarded with a penalty close to the posts following strong carries from Jim and Hal Riley in the centres. Fly-half Jeff Flather converted with ease to narrow the home side's lead.

Holt's forwards were carrying well in the tight and captain Bruce van Poortvliet was a constant threat running from the base of the scrum and the breakdowns. Despite the pressure Holt exerted on their hosts the home side's defence held firm and by half-time Campion had added a well-taken drop goal to their earlier try to see them ahead 10-3.

In the second half it was Campion who again got off to a good start, scoring within 10 minutes following a lineout close to Holt's tryline.

Dan Laddiman replaced Rob Gray in the second row due to injury and had an immediate impact in the scrum, as did Ollie Denton who made an impressive first team debut at blind-side flanker.

A succession of penalties gave van Poortvliet the opportunity to break and feed the ball wide for George Seaman to score in the corner midway through the second half, but the conversion fell short and the score remained at 15-8. Soon after Jeff Flather added a further penalty to move the score on to 15-11 and put Holt in striking distance of the win.

The final 20 minutes saw Holt on the attack but despite creating a number of good scoring opportunities they failed to break through.

Holt's next game is away to Ipswich on April 2.