Results for Season 2007/08 Division 4N
Pos'n 3/14 Played 24 W 16 D 1 L 7 F 491 A 222 Points 73
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3rd May 2008
Bolton 3rds 27 Heaton Moor 2nds 18, Halbro Shield Final
By NickJackson, Bolton News
Bolton survived a late comeback from Heaton Moor to lift the Halbro Shield in a thrilling final at Blackburn RUFC. The Avenue Street forwards put in their usual hard-working shift, allowing Bolton to dominate the first half. They were rewarded with two tries from Pete Catherall and Wayne Banks. Both scores were converted - one from the touchline - by the outstanding fly half Guy Lovgreen. The Miller Homes Division Four North side went in at half time 21-3 up, but they took their foot off the gas and allowed the men from Stockport back into the game.
They were pegged back to 21-18 and in danger of blowing their advantage before they upped their game again. James Dean got the third Bolton try and Lovgreen scored twice more - one a spectacular 40-yard drop goal and the other a late penalty to seal the win. Captain Richard Braithwaite paid tribute to the efforts of his team-mates. "We were totally in control in the first half," he said. "But we allowed them back into the game after the interval and they scored a couple of quick tries - one from a quick lineout, which should never have been allowed. "In the last 10 minutes we made a few changes and stepped it up again and got what we deserved. "It's a fantastic end to the season to win a trophy and it is reward for the hard work we have put in."
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26th April 2008
Littleboro 2nd 17 Bolton 3rd 12
Bolton 3rd team minds were very much on their next game as the lost their final game of the season. They finished 3rd in the league table. Next Saturday, May 3rd, BOLTON’S 3rd XV play in the Halbro Plate final against Heaton Moor 2nd XV this Saturday at Blackburn Rugby Club.
The final rounds off an impressive season for Bolton, who have been competing in the top five in the league for much of the year, and have beaten some big teams with big reputations along the way.
A coach is leaving Bolton Rugby Club on Avenue Street at 10am sharp on Saturday morning, and everyone is welcome to come to Blackburn to support the team. Seats in the coach are on a first come first served basis. It promises to be a day to remember, with Blackburn providing a bouncy castle and barbeque for family entertainment.
The match kicks off at 12.00pm, and the 3rd XV squad and all the members at Bolton R.U.F.C would appreciate as much support as possible.
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19th April 2008
Tarleton 19 Bolton 3rd Xv 10
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29th March 2008
Bolton 3rd XV 10 Preston Grasshoppers 0
The game was abandoned after 15 minutes when the referee decided tht the conditions were too dangerous to proceed.
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22nd March 2008
Bolton 3rd XV 10 Garstang 15
Bolton's long time unbeaten record fell this weekend as many of the team took the weekend off.
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15th March 2008
Bolton 3rd XV 22 Liverpool St Helens 21
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girl's. Mark Saturday 3rd May in your diary as this is the day Bolton 3rd team will be playing in the final of the Halbro Shield, as Bolton won the semi finals 22-21 against a very strong Liverpool St Helens (LSH) team.
The game was big and the game was brutal with 3 yellow cards being show to Liverpool St Helens who may feel their lack of discipline cost them a place in the final. The game started with a bang. Many a big hit and many a hard tackle it but it was LSH who put the first score on the board, Bolton giving away a penalty meaning their Number 10 could give them a 0-3 advantage. LSH then started to gain territorial advantage and managed to score the opening try of the game. The try was then converted making the score 0-10 in LSH's favour. Bolton had a meeting as the kick was being taken. 99% of the words would be unprintable so we will just say the message Paul Hunt was trying to get across was "we must try harder". Bolton then sprung into life and the huge running of Martin Plimmer and Lloyd Green got Bolton into the opponents 22. The opposition could not handle the rolling maul which has served Bolton so well all year and gave away a penalty. Mark Higgins converted making the score 3-10. Bolton spotted a weakness in this area and another rolling maul, another penalty, a yellow card for an LSH player and the score was 6-10. With an extra man advantage this gave Bolton more space and more opportunity to press home the advantage and we did with another fantastic rolling maul with Jimmy '5 yards' Ramsell scoring his 21st try this season. Bolton were looking in control of the game with the score at half time 12-10 in Bolton's favour.
Half time and some stirring words of encouragement from both teams meant the battle raged on in the second half. A couple of stupid penalties from Bolton again handed the advantage to LSH with their Number 10 on scintillating form, not missing a kick all game the score was now 12-16 to LSH. Bolton were having a kicking crisis of their own with Number 10 Mark Higgins suffering from a back injury. Wayne Banks, hero kicker against Fylde the other week stepped up to the plate. After missing a couple he finally got his eye in and Bolton were hot on Liverpool St Helens heels with the score at 16-15. The Bolton pack then scored another try and you guessed it came from a rolling maul which you will be surprised to hear was not scored by Ramsell but the on the pitch skipper Paul Hunt making the score 22-16 with only 10 minutes remaining. Bolton now had a lead which they had to defend and were holding out to the ever increasing pressure of the LSH pack. Special mentions have to go out to Alan Catherall, Steffen Graul and Simon Walsh whose excellent defensive display had not only given Bolton something to defend but kept Liverpool St Helens out. Then, 2 minutes before the end, disaster struck. LSH scored a try from some excellent forward play making the score 22-21. All the pressure now fell on the LSH number 10 who had been exceptional all day and not missed a kick. The way through to the final beckoned and the obviously nervous 10 placed the ball and marked out his run up. As the 10 started his run up the whole Bolton team ran out to try and charge down the kick and as it floated through the air both teams stopped and stared at the ball flying towards the uprights. The kick then hit the post and bounced clear. Bolton had 90 seconds to hold out and did so, winning an emphatic semi final 22-21. After the game the champagne was flowing in the changing room along with a few bottles of wine. The celebrations carried on well into the night at the club and in Bolton Town centre.
The final will be held at Blackburn where Bolton will be facing Heaton Moor in the final of the Halbro Shield. GO TEAM….
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1st March 2008
Bolton 3rd 10 Fylde 10
Bolton entertained Second place Fylde at Avenue Street hoping to continue their winning streak going back to November 10th. The game started with Fylde putting pressure on the Bolton forwards with some powerful mauling and rucking. Bolton have prided them selves on a strong pack all season and counteracted the Fylde forwards with some equally powerful runs and moves. This was the pattern to the opening of the game and then Fylde began to show their true colours as every opportunity was taken to ‘have a go’ at the unsuspecting Bolton players. This led to Bolton's temper rising and scrum-half Wayne Banks decided to take the law in to his own hands with the ref instantly pulling out his yellow card. He looked like he needed a 10 min rest anyway. Then something out of the ordinary happened, a score but not for the dominating Fylde but for Bolton, but it was only a penalty. After Banks had returned to the field after his rest, Next Captain Richard Bathwater saw the red mist as the referee missed Fylde a Fylde offence and decided to ruck over-enthusiatically on the offending number 6. The look of dismay on his face when ref showed him a yellow card. This was then end of the game for the skipper as half time came and he substituted himself off.
The second half started with the usual frenzy and Bolton with the wind on their backs managed to put more pressure on the Fylde defence but just couldn't manage to get any points after Guy Lovgreen missed a penalty from in front of the posts. Fylde then moved the game up to the opponents half and scored a try which was converted and they now led 7-3. Bolton reacted to this by putting more effort in and were rewarded by a try from Fullback walsh who went over in the corner. From the touchline having just missed a sitter and with the wind against him, Lovgreen struck the ball, it floated in the wind, moved a bit, then moved back and finally over the bar, between the posts for a 10-7 lead. Can bolton do it, can they win and take that second position from Fylde ? Only 6 minutes are left and a penalty is conceded despite the referee giving warnings. Penalty to Fylde. 10 -10. The final whistle went and as Bolton's prop Wignall was making his way to the tunnel, the Fylde Second row (who is normally a third team player) smacked him from behind. Wignall went down quicker than the Titanic and the ref was equal in his speed to pull his red card out.
Bolton deserved to win the Match but were happy to remain unbeaten in 2008. There is no game next week as Burnley have dropped out of the league so Boltons next Fixture is in the home Semi Final of the Halbro Shield against Liverpool St Helens on 15th March.
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23rd February 2008
Bolton 3rd 29 Blackburn 5
Bolton 3rds did it again beating Blackburn 3rds 29-5 at avenue street this week. The scoreline does not tell the full story with many a Bolton player saying after the game it was the hardest and the most enjoyable game so far this season.
The game started with a bang with both teams having the fair share of dominance in their opponents 22. However Bolton are now building a reputation in the league for a unstoppable rolling maul which lead to Bolton crossing the line. The scorer as you can probably can guess was Jim Ramsell who took the glory after some great mauling by the bolton pack. The conversion was missed making the score 5-0. This had a negative effect on the Blackburn pack with Bolton scoring two more tries before the half making the score 19-0 at the half with scores from Alan Catherall and Jim Ramsell again, which put the flanker on 20 tries for the season.
The second half started and Blackburn had regrouped knowing if they entered a forwards battle they would be taken apart. They shipped the ball to the backs at every available opportunity, however great defensive work from Martin Plimmer and Chris Hughes in Boltons centre gave Blackburn little sight of the Bolton try line. Bolton then got a penalty from all of 40 yards out, which the left boot of Guy Lovegreen slotted over to make the score 22-0. With the game getting stuck in midfield and no team looking like scoring came one of those moment of fortune that let Blackburn know it was not going to be their day. Blackburn trying to spin the ball to get a score of their own, nearly had their pass intercepted and as the pass brushed the Boltons wingers hand it diverted the ball just behind the Blackburn winger. The ball then, without touching the ground, hit the Blackburn players heel and flew straight into the arms of Boltons winger, James Dean, who then sidestepped the full back and scored under the posts. Blackburn finally got some reward for there persistence scoring in the final minutes when Bolton seemed to be falling asleep.
The final score 29-5. Bolton next week face Fylde in a 2nd Vs 3rd top of the table clash with both teams pushing for promotion.
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16th February 2008
Kirkby Lonsdale 17 Bolton 3rd XV 22
This week Bolton 3rds took a trip up to Kirkby Lonsdale who were looking to stop a Bolton side not beaten since the 3rd of November. Both side were level on points going into this encounter so it promised to be a exciting game with both teams putting their bodies on the line in the push for promotion. No other team has come away from Kirkby with a win all season. A loss for either side would effectively end their promotion aspirations and this was a lot more evident in a nervy Bolton side who conceded a converted try and a penalty to make the score 10-0 in Kirkby favour. Bolton then gave themselves a well earned slap around the head and the winning machine that is Bolton suddenly sparked into life. A superb rolling maul which started just outside the opponents 22 was converted into a try for Jim Ramsell. He will be the first to tell you he's scored 7 tries this season. Lovgreen missed the conversion by the width of an articulated lorry, hopefully he will aim for the posts if given another chance. Bolton then camped themselves in the Kirkby 22 and pressed home their territorial advantage with tries for Shaun Crimmins and a second for Jim Ramsell (yes that’s 18 now). Lovgreen converted the try this time with the precision of an open heart surgeon. After this try a shout was heard from the Kirkby Skipper “all they can do is maul, keep it out of the forwards”. Wise words from their skipper but the game plan for Bolton now was to keep it in the forwards and sap the little energy the Kirkby pack had left. The score at half time was 19-10 in Bolton’s favour with Bolton looking like they were about to put a cricket score past a despairing Kirkby Lonsdale pack who could not handle Bolton's rolling mauls.
The second half started and the Kirkby team rallied around and were a lot more fired up with the game turning into a kicking game and a slobber Knocker of a forward battle. Then tragedy struck. All 25+ stone of Gareth Tregilgas fell on a not 25+ stone Kirkby player injuring his neck. The paramedics had to be called and the game was put on hold....we hope the players injury is not too serious and a swift recovery is made. The game then had to be moved onto another pitch and Bolton faced a uphill battle. This is not because Bolton were playing badly but because the pitch they were playing on was so steep that when it snows the residents of Kirkby must use it for sledging purposes.
But with the best defence in the league Bolton would not be put off and would have their victory a penalty from Guy Lovgreen made it 22-13 and a last minute try for Kirkby made the final score 22-17.
Bolton next week face Blackburn and with the Highest points total for Bolton since the leagues were introduced nobody in the club is expecting anything less than a Bolton win. Let’s just hope the team are up for the challenges which they face in the next 4 weeks.
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9th February 2008
Bolton 3rd 40 Fleetwood 8
Bolton 3rd team took on a Fleetwood team that were fighting against relegation and turned up early to try and get something out of a Bolton team that has only been beaten once since September. The game started and
The second half started and Bolton were slow out of the box with Fleetwood pinning them inside there own 22 but with the best defence in the division Fleetwood could not penetrate to Bolton back line. After a few close shaves Bolton's backs kicked into life. Martin Plimmer ran like a deranged monster truck over 4 of the Fleetwood backs and when he was eventually stopped popped off a wonderful pass to winger Stuart Macdonald to finish under the posts score 21-3. Then with the game starting to get stretched the pace of Simon Walsh took him the full length of the pitch weaving in and our of the Fleetwood defence to score under the sticks. Bolton got another couple of scores making the score 40-3 in the final seconds of the game then a howler from James Dean , who generally makes one a game, gave Fleetwood the opportunity to run the length of the pitch to make the final score 40-8 .
Next week bolton travel to Kirkby Lonsdale, who are level on points with bolton in the league and so a win for bolton will confirm cement our position in the league. Bolton with a bang with great try's from both Lloyd green who went on to score another try and Ryan Wignall putting Bolton to a early 14-0 lead. The game slowed down as it turned into a midfield battle with the forwards consistently turning over each other the game became slow and penalties started to be given away. This gave Fleetwood the chance to put some point on the board with the score at half time 14-3
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2nd February 2008
Bury 2nd 0 Bolton 3rd XV 5
A hard fought game saw Bolton Third team come away with the spoils to complete a home and away victory over local rival Bury's Second team.
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26th January 2008
Bolton 3rd XV 35 Tyldesley 10
This latest win takes Bolton's 3rd team into the semi-finals of the Halbro Shield. They too are having an excellent run, having lost only once since the end of September.
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12th January 2008
Blackburn 3 Bolton 3rd 17
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5th January 2008
Pendle 1st 3 Bolton 3rd 25
Bolton travelled to table toppers Pendle hoping to continue the excellent form shown the previous week in the Cup against Northwich . After selection problems and late arrivals, We took to the field with determination to gain revenge for the defeat Pendle handed to us earlier in the season at avenue street. Having the wind in Bolton's favour in the first half we knew that points had to be scored in order to have a decent chance of winning the game. However it started badly for Bolton as Skipper Richard "badleg" Bathwater was taken off after only 8 minutes to a thigh injury. Luckily he lasted long enough for the substitute Andy Wright to turn up and get changed. The conditions of the Pendle pitch were far from ideal to say the least given the weather conditions in the week running upto the game. This was reflected in the early play with the greasy ball being knocked on regularly by both teams leading to a tough and frenetic opening spell for the pack. Pendle used the hill to their advantage early on by turning the screw in the scrum and getting good possession based on this. Bolton's back line were in comparrison showed great resolve and used the windy conditions to their advantage with standoff Guy Lovegreen Kicking an early penalty and a drop goal before further interplay by the backs led to Walsh crossing the whitewash for an excellently worked try.
The second half saw a change in fortunes for Bolton's forwards with a much stronger platform to work from against the tiring Pendle forwards. The entire team then began to turn the screw with superb Rucking and Mauling getting the team within striking distance of the pendle tryline. This pressure was converted into points mid way into the second half with Jim Ramsell being driven over the line for a try extremely well orchestrated by Young scrum half James Hardy Lovegreen Converted. Bolton's pressure was not only offensive but defensive, putting a stop to wave after wave of Pendle forward bombardment with superb tackling by Forwards and backs alike. This pressure then led to one of theose moments of "Champagne rugby" that are a joy to watch, in the course of stopping a further Pendle attack, James Dean intercepted a pass and was away like whippet out of the traps running a full 45 metres to score under the posts and surely seal the win for the visiting side. Lovegreen duely converted this try. Pendle then scored a concelation penalty to put points on the board and salvage some pride from what had otherwise been a very sturdy performance. After the final whistle Bolton were forced on a deathmarch to the shower block some 500 yards away, but this did not dampen the spirits of the Bolton side who were extremely pleased at the result against the league leaders.
The result meant bolton remained 5th but separated from the top my a meagre 3 points
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15th December 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 13 Upper Eden 6
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1st December 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 17 Tarleton 1st 0
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24th November 2007
Lostock 1s 14 Bolton 3rd XV 24
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17th November 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 30 Garstang 2s 7
Bolton 3s had a comfortable victory in the second round of the Halbro Shield. Scoring early on in the first half Bolton never looked like loosing. The pick of the tries coming from number 8 Lloyd Green as he burst off the scrum and through 2 Garstang players to score.
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10th November 2007
Upper Eden 2s 17 Bolton 3rd XV 25
Bolton thirds traveled 100 miles north to Upper Eden and came away with deserved win. It was the first time Eden had been beaten at home all season.
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3rd November 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 11 Pendle 1s 16
Bolton came up against a well drilled Pendle side, who left with a narrow victory.
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27th October 2007
Garstang 2s 7 Bolton 3rd XV 30
Bolton 3rds faced a tricky trip to Garstang in the league. The game started and it was a territory game with Garstang pinning Bolton in there 22 for long periods using the wind to full effect. Bolton's defence held strong and it was Bolton who got the first score of the game against the run of play Bolton got into the Grastang 22 and when ball came flying out of the back of a scrum Alan cat was the quickest to react picking up the ball to score. Lovegreen converted another penalty made the score 10-0 to Bolton at half time.
In the second half Bolton had the wind and started putting more points on the board with trys from Jim Ramell, Stuart Macdonald and Stuart Catterall. the final score was 30-7 with garstang scoring a lucky try. Special mention has to go to Chris Mee the rookie prop destroyed Grastang with some massive running and even a gash to the head Chris Mee still continued to prove that props can break the gain line again and again. Final score 30-7
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20th October 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 27 Bury 2s 8
A confident performance form Bolton saw off local rivals Bury. After a tough first half, Bolton dominated the second half scoring 4 tries.
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13 October 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 24 Aldwinians 3s 12
Bolton thirds hosted Aldwinians in the prelim round of the Halbro shield at Avenue Street. After a slow start to the game Bolton realised that were in a game as the away side put pressure on the defence with some tough rugby. However Bolton were able to counter this with some powerful forward play and were able to score a good try by Simon Walsh. Morris missed the conversation. This gave the visitors an extra impetus and they managed a lucky try against the run of play. The first half ended 5 all. In the second half Bolton forwards knew they had to take the game to their opposition and this was led by prop forward Gareth Tregilgas who taught his opposite number a lesson on how to prop. He managed to make their prop lose his head as he had known answer the awesome power and technique of the trig. As the other forwards followed trigs lead, Bolton’s pack dominated their opponents in every department and this led to a try from Alan Catherall who managed to glide past Aldwinians backs and score under the posts. Not to rest on their score Bolton continued to take the game to the opposition and Paul Sutcliffe scored a try off the back of another awesome maul from Bolton. Neil Carlisle kicked the conversion. Bolton slightly let their off the pedal and allowed Aldwinians to score an easy try which was converted. However Bolton responded just like England had after their defeat to South Africa and great mauling led to the opposition crumble and the forwards pushed their counterparts over the line for Paul "i'm not letting go of the ball" Sutcliffe to score another great try. Again Carlisle converted making the final score 26-10 to Bolton. Despite this the ref got a little confused and gave a Bolton conversion to Aldwinians to make the reported score 24-12. Bolton return to league action the following week against bitter rivals bury and they will be looking to maintain their good form with another 4 points. Man of the match was awarded to all the squad for their effort.
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6th October 2007
Fleetwood 3s 0 Bolton 3rd XV 48
An excellent display by the third team away at a tough Fleetwood led to a convincing win.
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29th September 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 8 Kirkby Lonsdale 2nd 14
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22nd September 2007
Fylde 4s 14 Bolton 3rd XV 8
Bolton Thirds travelled to Fylde to face a team who are at the opposite end of the table to Bolton, bottom. The game started brightly for Bolton with the pack dominating early on with Richard Beckwith pressuring the Fylde defence with some powerful runs and stand-in fly half James Dean making some telling breaks but Bolton couldn’t get over the try line. Bolton dominated the first half but could only manage a penalty from scrum half Neil Carlisle as reward for Fylde’s pack not being able to cope with the Bolton’s power up front, with Alan Cat dominating the lineout and Beckwith getting most of the Fylde ball at the back of the lineout, and the first half ended miserably for Bolton as James Dean had to be taken off as "he couldn’t run anymore, with Captain Braithwaite coming on to the unfamiliar position of wing.
The second half started as the first ended, Bolton forwards dominating their opposite numbers. Some powerful runs by centres Plimmer and Hughes gained Bolton much territory and this led to their opening Try, scored by Centre Chris Hughes, with Hughes just missing the conversion from a difficult angle. Bolton’s frustration in not being able to convert their dominance and a few missed tackles led to a yellow card for a player on each team as tempers frayed. After words from their captains, the game continued, and Fylde managed to get on the score sheet with a try through the middle and the conversion was kicked to make it 8-7 to Bolton. Bolton still dominated upfront and some powerful rugby saw us head closer to the opponents line but we just couldn’t finish any of the moves. After some missed tackles and some ugly scenes off the ball which the ref didn’t see, Fylde scored again and converted to make it 14-8 to the home side. This gave Bolton 7 minutes to reply but we could not make the possession tell and the game finished with Bolton feeling unjust having lost a game they simply dominated. Man of the match would have Been James Dean but having wimped out of proceedings, the award went to number 9 Neil Carlisle who make some huge tackles and kept the
backs moving.
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15th September 2007
Bolton 3rd XV v Burnley
Bolton were expecting Burnley to make the short journey to avenue street for their third league game of the season. however Burnley couldn’t manage to get a side together and called the game off with Bolton taking the four points for a win. next week sees Bolton travelling to Fylde for their next league outing, where a win keep Bolton at the top end of the table
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8th September 2007
Preston Grasshoppers 16 Bolton 3rd 10
An under strength 3rd team travelled to Preston and narrowly lost out in a hotly contested game.
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1st September 2007
Bolton 3rd XV 14 Littlebough 2s 0
Captain Richard Braithwaite’s team got off to a confident start. Excellent defence and two tries gave the thirds a good win over a strong team.
