On Saturday West 3rds travelled to Holt for a League match against their 3rd team. It was a bit worrying to see over 25 players warming up following the cancellation of their 2nds match!

It was a tough close game that went down to the wire in a repeat of the season’s earlier encounter.

West started solidly with the pack setting the scene and preparing a rock solid foundation for the backs to work from. The front row of Mark Fincham, Turner and Savage excelled, giving their opposite numbers a comprehensive work over in the scrum, which West dominated throughout. Turner excelled stealing ball at will. Power aplenty was provided by the second row of Stephenson and Chris. Hobbsy came on for the limping Chris at half time and did not disappoint. The back row of Rowlands, Evans and Kirk played very well, getting around the park and disrupting much of Holt’s play. Lineout was guaranteed and Rowlands did much to ruin Holt ball.

Tom Fincham had a good game at scrum half, showing that resilience that we have come to expect, despite several scrag/high tackles from the Holt back row.

Beard had a typically robust game at 10 feeding the centre partnership of Smith and Bankart some quality ball to use. West’s wingers provided pace and strength through Adam and James. Bailey made a welcome return at full back and was direct as usual!

The first half was nip and tuck, with West doing well uphill and in to the wind. However, their concentration slipped minutes before half time which allowed Holt to take the lead, sniping down the blindside to score a converted try.

Strong words from Turner at half time revitalised West who set about using the pack to bulldozer the ball home. The pack trundled it on and were rewarded when Dave Evans touched it down. Beard duly converted to set up a thrilling last 30.

Rowlands took a 10 minute break having been accused of killing the ball and the Holt captain followed him for his over enthusiastic use of a handbag in trying to clear him out of the way.

West took the lead when Turner put his money where his mouth was, cut an awesone line, galloped 50 metres to score in the corner...

With 10 minutes left West were camped on the Holt 5 metre line with a series of 7 scrums that went over the line but for a try not to be awarded for a myriad of strange reasons. Holt became frustrated and entered into a 2 minute discussion with the referee who had had an on/off sort of game. He was going to play a key role in deciding the outcome, when he missed at least one clear try by West in that scrummaging exchange. He did not award a penalty try despite the Holt scrum disintegrating on each drive.

Holt cleared their lines eventually, and with a minute left they were awarded a free kick following a scrummaging infringement by West. Holt kicked to touch, took a quick line out and scored under the posts. They duly converted to win 14 – 12 with the last kick of the match. West frustration was tangible. They felt robbed since it should have been a West lineout and the lineout had already been marked by 3 West players.

However, all that said, some (Holt players/supporters) would argue that justice had been served since West won the earlier encounter with the last kick of the match following a questionable penalty that allowed us to score a try.

Following a calming period of consideration, Man of the Match goes to Alex Turner, who made a welcome return following a 2 month break and showed enormous strength, skill and determination. His wise words and calming influence were priceless. His sportsmanship shone through as he recovered quickest from the disappointment to ensure that all the players held their heads as high in defeat as in victory.

West move onwards and upwards to next Saturday’s League encounter away at Thetford, a match that is guaranteed to be an excellent physical confrontation.


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