Hayden Revell scores treble as West Norfolk beat Holt to regain rugby Cubitt-Maule Cup

West Norfolk 47 Holt 31 (Cubitt-Maule Cup)

West continued their positive start to the pre-season with an emphatic win in the annual cup match between the two clubs.

West welcomed back stalwart Sam Moses, dynamic prop Luke Covell and Mark Tilbrook to the back line.

Promoted up from London 3 Eastern Counties last season, cup holders Holt ran in three quick unanswered tries before West replied through a smart offload from fly half Sam Moses releasing winger Joe Lewis-Mitchell to speed his way under the posts, converted by Moses.

The Gatehouse Lane spectators were treated with some fantastic end to end play.

After two strong drives at scrums near the Holt line, scrum half Hayden Revell took a quick tap penalty and scooted over the line to give West the lift they needed, converted by Moses. Holt added another converted try before Adrian Flux man of the match Sam Mount supported No.8 Jamie Williamson smashing his way over the gain line.

Some silky hands by fly half Moses and centre Jack Wicks found winger Charlie Moore who scored to bring the score to within seven points.

Holt extended this lead again but Revell received excellent offloads from the likes of Will Greenwood and James Dobler to add his second going into half-time (West 26 Holt 31).

After some encouraging words from coach Darren Clarke and with the strong wind at their backs, West initially struggled in the opening stages of the second half, adapting to some of their changes in personnel.

But West settled and young, former colt James Dobler got his first try for the 1st XV, Moses converting. Again West used the wind and kicked for a lineout close to the Holt line.

Prop Luke Covell eventually used his strength and power to storm over the line, converted by Moses.

West secured the game in the final few minutes with a fully deserved third try for Revell, giving Moses a simple conversion.

Clarke said: “After a tough opening 20 minutes the players adapted well to the conditions and their opposition. Some excellent play in the second half produced some very good tries.

"We now need to take the positives from these pre-season games into the league campaign starting next Saturday with a tough fixture at home against recently relegated Cantabrigian.”

West 2nds had a hard fought victory against Holt 2nds. With a number of players having not played together yet this season, West would fight hard against a well drilled side.

Tries for Charlie Armitt, Harrison McNaught, Quinton Houston, Liam Hind and Man of the Match No.8 Craig Blackmur.

West 1sts open their league campaign at home to Cantabrigian whilst the 2nds take on Thetford 2s also at home, both 3pm KO.