Broadland travelled to play Eastern Counties One side Holt in the Semi-final of the Woodfordes Norfolk Plate. Poor weather conditions virtually removed both sides kicking game and Holt relied on a comprehensive performance from their pack to claim a place in the final.

Broadland fielded a number of changes with Kyle Rogers and Steve Street starting in the Centres, Rob Burling returning at Scrum Half and the versatile Paul Abel moving from the Flank to the Wing. In the Forwards Rye Billyard, Andy Smith and Lee Durrant all joined the pack.

In conditions favouring a forwards game Broadland kicked off. Early on neither side were able to gain much territory with both sides winning their own ball. The Broadland front three of Beckett, Smith and Taylor were providing a solid platform in the Scrum and in the Line Out Broadland jumpers Durrant and Morrison were securing their own ball. Centre Steve Street had some solid runs in the middle and Wing Paul Abel had a couple of decent runs from deep.

Eventually Holt were first on the scoreboard when a lineout just inside the 22-meter line was caught and driven over for an unconverted try. Broadland rallied and drove the ball deep into the Holt half with some excellent pick and drive play from Captain Andy Riches and Number 8 Rye Bilyard. However, Broadland could not convert pressure into points and Holt managed to push the Yarmouth side back. The half finished with Broadland down 5 -0.

Coach Mark Frost made one substitution at half-time with Richard Bristo joining the pack. Shortly after kick off Holt extended their lead: Broadland stole a line-out but the ball bobbled out. A miskick sent the ball, hurtling towards the Broadland goal-line. Captain Riches almost cleared but the Holt Flanker just managed to creep round the outside to score in the corner for an unconverted try.

Broadland were able to string together some good pieces of play and both Stuart Murray and Kyle Rogers had some excellent attacking runs. Holt were again pushing the Broadland line and only stout defensive work from Ruddick, Burling and Prescott prevented a Holt try.

Broadland made a further substitution with Mark White joining the centres. Despite Broadlands' attacking runs - including a spectacular kick and chase from Murray and Scott - it was Holt who had the final score of the day with their wing capitalising on some space and scoring in the corner (unconverted).

Broadland can now look forward to an epic journey away from the Port of Yarmouth in the form of a club away trip when both 1st and 2nd XV go to seek their fortunes in a friendly double header against Cambridge.

Team: S.Murray, P.Abel, K.Rogers, S.Street, M.Scott, S.Ruddick, R.Burling, M.Beckett, A. Smith, R.Taylor, A. Riches (Capt.), L.Durrant, J.Prescott, A. Morrison, R.Billyard

Replacements Used: R.Bristo (40 mins) M.White (55 mins)

Asa Morrison

- Fixtures -