Holt rounded off an excellent season in London 2NE on a disappointing note on Saturday when they were well beaten at home by third placed Woodford.

The hosts conceded an early penalty against a lively looking side who added to their lead with a converted try after 13 minutes.

Holt did gain a ten minute advantage when a Woodford player was sin binned but nothing came of it and the lead increased to 0-17 after 27 minute.

A Holt attack foundered through lack of awareness, when a try was on the cards, and it was Woodford who drove the nail further into the coffin with another converted try two minutes before half-time, taking their lead to 0-24. Holt were left with a lot of soul searching as to how to make an impression on the game because their opponents were comfortably in control.

The second half started badly for the hosts, conceding a penalty virtually straight away and Woodford kicked for the corner in order to drive over the goal line. Fortunately for Holt no try came.

The relief did not last long as the visitors gained their bonus point try after eight minutes of the half with another converted try to lead 0-31, putting the game well out of Holt's reach.

The home side did do their best to break down a resolute defence, but the breaks were not coming their way. However a reward did finally come when Bruce van Poortvliet made a break from just inside the Woodford half and the ball eventually reached Leaper-Riley, who scored an unconverted try, reducing the margin to 5-31.

With the minutes ticking away it was the visitors who capped a successful afternoon by scoring an unconverted try in the dying minutes of the game to increase their lead to 5-36. The game ended with Holt well beaten by a very street wise team and hoping to hold on to fourth position.

They will have to wait until next weekend for the result of the Chelmsford v Lowestoft & Yarmouth match and going on current form, it looks as though the home side will take the spoils.

In this case Holt would finish fifth, still a very creditable performance after their first season at level seven, with 14 wins and eight losses, which leaves them with plenty of optimism for the future.

All credit must go to coaches Ed Steed and Penny Chapman, who have committed themselves thoroughly to the cause of making Holt the side they are.

The other two Holt sides are to be congratulated on their performances in their respective merit tables, finishing in the top half of both and especially the seconds, who could well finish third behind North Walsham and Diss.