Holt 22, Cantabrigians 10

RUGBY: Old rivals Cantabrigians were the visitors to High Kelling for a return league fixture and were hoping to upset Holt's current run of form.

Holt were looking to avenge that set- back and to maintain their challenge for the second place in the league.

Holt played with the wind from the start and although showing early promise, it was the visitors who put the home side under pressure and after eight minutes they were rewarded with a try from a driving maul. The conversion missed, but Holt were 0-5 down against determined opponents.

The game was taken into the visitors' half and although Holt had their chances, including two missed penalties, they were unable to make headway.

The pressure was maintained and it was only a question of time before Holt opened their account with a penalty through Ilsley after 35 minutes, reducing the deficit to 3-5. With time running out before half-time, Holt encamped themselves in the Cantabrigians' 22 and were finally rewarded in the final minutes of the half, when Robson finished of a good move and with Ilsley adding the points for the conversion,

Holt had gained the lead on the stroke of half-time, 10-5.

Holt knew they would have to work hard in the second half to dominate a workmanlike side and to take the points. The visitors started the half on the attack, but again Holt's defence was equal to the occasion.

But they were unable to gain any footholds in their opponents' half until after nineteen minutes, they finally reached the opposition goal line, for Wright to make the touch down following a push over try. The conversion was off target.

Holt now gained the upper hand. Robson latched onto a cross to run in from the half way line to score under the posts, making the conversion a formality for Ilsley, increasing the lead to 22-5 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Cantabrigians were still dangerous on the counter attack and although Holt could not score any more points, it was their opponents who scored a deserved try after 32 minutes to reduce the lead to 22-10.

With time running out, Holt remained comfortably in the lead and at the final whistle had earned themselves a hard-won victory – and revenge.

Holt are still in fourth position in the league table, but with a game in hand.

There are three games remaining against the first and second in the league, two of them against West Norfolk and the other one against Stowmarket, who are the pace setters. Holt will do extremely well to reach second place.

Next, Holt resume Junior Vase action, with a home tie against Vigo from Kent One, who have a 50 per cent record and are halfway in that league.

The record to date against Kentish Clubs is of two losses; so on current form the chance is there to beat the jinx and progress to the next round.