Dagenham resumed their league campaign with a 29-15 defeat at Holt.

The hosts were keen to gain revenge for the big defeat they suffered in the previous meeting at Central Park and started the brighter, with a smart tactical kicking game keeping the visitors pinned in their half.

A penalty provided good field position and Holt drove over the line for the first try, with the conversion missed.

As rain began to fall, the teams contested possession around halfway, with some heavy tackles going in from both sides.

Holt added a penalty, but Dagenham responded well, with line breaks from Ben Davis and Dylan Pena, which led to a penalty in front of the posts, which centre Lewis Pruce converted.

The half ended with Dagenham defending their own line, man-of-the-match Will Knowlden putting in a number of key tackles before Evan Westcott won a relieving turnover.

But they were reduced to 13 men early in the second half after two yellow cards for high tackles in quick succession.

They defended valiantly, but a series of good offloads by the Holt backline sent their winger under the posts for a converted try.

To their credit, the D’s struck back quickly, captain Nat Farrell making a great break to be hauled down just short of the line before the ball was recycled and Davis crashed over for a well-earned score.

Pruce’s conversion attempt was just wide to leave the score at 15-8 but after another protracted period of contested possession, Holt managed to extend their lead with a try from nothing as their centre put a long kick through and managed to beat the cover to dot down under the posts.

Despite the set-back, Dagenham continued to battle hard and debutant Paul Grint made a positive impact off the bench.

But Holt claimed the decisive score with a good driving maul setting the platform for the ball to be spread and their winger to score under the posts again.

Dagenham did manage to respond soon after with a score from Earl Gorman running a good line, but time was against them and an excellent final defensive set from Holt denied the visitors a losing bonus point ahead of a home date with Thurrock on Saturday.