Saracens struggle against enthusiastic Owls outfit

This weekend saw the Saracens travel away to Holt to face the mid-table Owls. The Diss team were struggling for numbers from the middle of the week, as were the 3rdXV, and this unfortunately led to a late stage cancellation of the thirds fixture. Bad traffic then hindered the away team, and it was gone 2PM by the time the full team arrived. This meant Diss had no time for a full team run, and at the kick-off some players hadn’t even warmed up. Holt instantly recognised this as an opportunity, and from the kick-off they caught the ball and attacked with passion. From this point on, it was evident the home side were passionate about getting a win. They found themselves in the Diss 22, and an infringement in the ruck gave them a penalty in front of the posts, which they converted comfortably to get on the score board first. This was a needed wake-up call for the Saracens, to which they responded well. Jacob Page caught the ball cleanly from the restart and ran strongly up the field. The Saracens then spent at least 10 minutes camped in the Holt half, but simply failed to capitalise on many opportunities. Holt then stole the ball in a maul, and manage to work their way back up the field. The Owls then found themselves well inside the Diss 22, and opted for a driving maul, pressuring hard on the Diss pack, until the maul collapsed inside the five metre line. At this point Holt were award a penalty try, with no repeated infringement, which left both sides a little confused, but Holt jubilant nonetheless. The conversion was successful. Again the Saracens fought back hard from the restart, and this increased pressure started to agitate Holt, which led to Holt flanker John Gill being awarded a red card for stamping on a Diss Player. Diss looked promising again after this, but to no avail, leaving the score 10-0 to the home side at the break.

The Saracens started the second half with great pace, and following a series of phases by the blue side, flanker Dan Hooper cut a great inside line to put Diss on the score board. Albert Goymour converted this to bring the score to 7-10. From the restart Matt Trede ran extremely hard up into the centre of the Holt pack, and judging the bounce to perfection, found himself with the ball. Following a series of sidesteps and swerves, he broke through numerous tackles, only to be stopped 10 yards short. Returning prop Ed Passmore then took the off-load with oodles of pace, only to be stopped inches short of the base of the posts by solid Holt defence. A period of strong running rugby from both sides followed, and a quick penalty taken by Diss man of the match, Dougie Moir, gained the Saracens a lot of territory. Returning centre Kyle Jelardo then made another powerful run, breaking through the Holt defence, and after a series of off-loads winger Mike Skeet went over the line, and with Goymours conversion gave Diss a 14-10 lead. Again Holts 14 men rallied and pressured hard, with a missed tackle by Diss allowing them over the line for their second try, which was converted giving them the lead again, 17-14. Frustration was starting to rise within the Diss side as it was very obvious the Saracens weren’t playing to their usual standards, and a series of mauls by the forwards put the blue team inside the Holt 22, and following another break by Scrum half Moir, Albert Goymour went over the line for the third Diss try, but he missed the conversion by a whisker. Diss now leading 19-17.

The 14 man Holt side were determined not to give up, and pressured hard. This added to the Saracens frustrations, and with 10 minutes to go Ed Passmore and Richie Horne were both sin-binned in quick succession for infringements at the ruck. With the support of the infamous Holt fans, the home side really turned up the pressure, and tested the Saracens defence to the limit. Composure was really starting to slip within the Diss ranks, and yet another penalty was conceded at the break down, right in front of the posts. Holt sensibly opted to take the kick, and regained the lead with just minutes to go. The Saracens remaining thirteen men attacked hard and were moving steadily up the field in the dying minutes, when a penalty was awarded to Holt, who kicked it straight in touch to seal their victory 20-19, leaving the Saracens stunned, shocked and more than a little exasparated.