Ipswich 34 Holt 16

Apart from the first and last 15 minutes of the game a young Holt side held their own well against a much larger and more experienced Ipswich outfit in their latest London Two North East fixture.

With several regular players unavailable Holt's coach Ed Steed used the game as an opportunity to blood several up-and-coming players.

Alastair Hughes, 18, had a mature game at fly-half and linked well with his captain and scrum-half Bruce van Poortvliet.

Brothers Jim and Jeremy Seaman worked tirelessly in the pack which produced good, quick ball, enabling Holt's centres James and Hal Riley to threaten the Ipswich line on several occasions.

Ipswich were soon 14-0 ahead after making a strong start. A well-executed driving maul from a line-out on the Holt line resulted in a try from impressive No 8 Chris Blom. This was quickly followed by a slick handling movement by the home side's three-quarter line, which eluded the Holt defence, producing a try for full-back Ryan Potkins.

Both tries were converted by scrum-half Corey Button.

Sustained pressure from Holt produced two penalties converted by Hughes which reduced the deficit to 14-6.

As Holt were pressing for a further score, Ipswich intercepted a loose pass and the resultant try was converted, with a further penalty taking the score out to 24-6.

Holt immediately went on the offensive and a good break by van Poortvliet was supported by James Riley who touched down for a try converted by Hughes, which closed the gap to 24-13 at half-time.

The two sides were well-matched in the second half.

Holt had to adjust to a yellow card but even though they were reduced to 14 men their pressure brought about a penalty converted by Hughes.

At this stage Holt were making successful inroads into the Ipswich defence but they did not have the muscle to take them over the line.

With the clock running down Ipswich put in a final surge and were rewarded with two unconverted tries which made the final score 34-16.

Woodfordes man of the match for Holt was fly-half Hughes, who is a product of Holt's very successful Colts side.