East London 12-42 Holt

East London 12-42 Holt
Tries: Anderson, Killeen. Con: Gregory
East London left themselves with far too much to do in this game against the unbeaten table-toppers from Norfolk as they put in a lacklustre opening half performance that their confident and clinical opponents took full advantage of.
The opening exchanges seemed positive for the home side as good work from Groombridge and Masters around the tackle area caused Holt to concede either possession or penalties, allowing East London to work their way into some good positions. However, this early pressure wasn’t rewarded with any points and Holt began to work their way into East London territory and their first foray was rewarded after an East London infringement which saw the visitors take the simple opportunity to take three points. The lead was increased within a minute as Holt were allowed to break from deep before good support play enabled them to negotiate the scrambling defence for the first try of the game.
This set the pattern for the afternoon, the home side coughing-up possession at vital times while their visitors made much better use of their possession ,expertly keeping the score board ticking over with three short-range tries and a couple of penalties. East London did get themselves back in the game with the last points of the half as Anderson finished off East London’s best spell of the game with a mazy run around Holt’s defence.
The second-half performance was much improved with the ball being kept in hand and a greater value placed on possession by the home side. This also made the Holt defence work much harder and it was Killeen who finally was able to finish in the corner after a training ground move paid dividends for East London’s backs after Bridger and Kennedy had worked hard to give them the platform. Rich Gregory expertly slotted the extras from wide-out.
Holt again worked themselves back into the ascendancy and were rewarded with the final points of the game to round off a deserved victory and leave their hosts ruing their below-par first half.
East London now have three league games left before the new year break to improve their league position and they’ll be hoping that a reduction in their lengthy injury list will help themdo so. Firstly though, they take a break from the rigours of the league for a trip to the Kent coast to take on Folkestone in the cup.