Holt made the long journey to Hackney Marshes on Saturday to take on Old Streetonians – and came away with a well deserved win.

Due to non-availabilities the visitors had three players playing out of position but still returned from London with their first away victory at this level.

Holt began well and were just off target with an early penalty before the hosts converted one of their own on 10 minutes.

This prompted Holt to take the game back to their hosts, but initially were unable to make the necessary penetration. Allen then made a break, passing to Loane, who in turn passed to Jackson, who scored an unconverted try after 15 minutes.

Holt at this stage were looking confident, with a couple of driving mauls putting pressure on their hosts. Another penalty chance was off target and more pressure had to be soaked up but then Harvey, who was making his first team debut, kicked an excellent penalty from at least 35 yards to increase the lead.

Holt were making the running at this stage and a certain try seemed to be for the taking, only for the chance to go begging. However, Harvey was again on target to increase the lead to 11-3 with four minutes of the half remaining. Old Streetonians finished the half on the attack and were rewarded with a converted penalty on the stroke of half-time, making the score 11-6 to the visitors.

The hosts put Holt's defence under pressure from the start of the second half but they coped well and from a break-out were unlucky not to increase their lead from a penalty.

The game continued with Holt on the defensive and making an excellent job of keeping determined opponents at bay. With the game entering its final stages, Holt made one of their rare excursions into the home side's half and Jackson, on receiving a pass, took the chance to drop an excellent goal from at least 30 yards, extending his side's lead to 14-6 with four minutes remaining.

This score meant the hosts had to score twice in the closing stages against a firm defence, but a few palpitations occurred when a penalty kick at goal was fluffed for a second time by the home side.

This let-off gave Holt the chance to finish the game with no further alarms, achieving an excellent first league away victory with the whole side having given their all to do so.

The kept Holt in mid-table with three wins and two losses and next week will provide another stern test, when they visit Lowestoft & Yarmouth for the first encounter between the clubs for at least three seasons.

They will do well to come away with the spoils against a team who are always difficult to beat on their own ground and are just above them in the table.