Results for Season 2007/08 Division 5N
Pos'n 12/14 Played 24 W 6 D 0 L 18 F 235 A 553 Points 39.
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19th April 200823rd February 2008
Ormskirk 4ths 29 Bolton 4ths 6
Bolton 4ths travelled to Ormskirk and after some good performances in recent weeks a potential upset was on the cards. The game was only minutes old when Phil Berry limped off with an injury, followed soon after by Wayne Gaskell. The home team put a bit of pressure on and after a lapse in concentration they got a break away try - score 7- 0. Bolton regrouped and the pack took the game to Ormskirk, and some good play from John Singleton, Mark Turner and Reg Booth saw the home team camped well in side their own half. The pressure began to tell and the home team gave away 2 penalties which Simon Clarke converted 7-6. The pack dominated and won some good ball. From one move Dave O’Byrne passed to Andy Jolly then to Clarke who put Les Towler in to space, he beat 3 players before being stopped just short of the line. Bolton couldn’t capitalise on their dominance and half time came with the home team shell shocked at the sustained pressure they had been under.
The team talk at half time was very upbeat with Bolton feeling that they could go on to win the game but they hadn’t counted on the home teams ability to bring on some quality substitutes, possibly due to the fact that their 1st team didn’t have a game?? Whilst the game was on, a party of veterans from the first World War stood open mouthed in disbelief as they recognised Geoff Vickers playing for Bolton. One turned to his mate and said “Geoff was old 'un when I was playing” They then rolled about laughing as each time he was lifted in the line out he called out one thousand, 2 thousand 3 thousand on his way down. The ex Para found it hard to forget his roots but still played to his usual standard. Very early on in the second half one of the home teams "quality substitutes" got the ball and ran through several players to score a remarkable try. Score 14 -6. Bolton tried hard to take the game to Ormskirk but the extra bodies they had brought on started to tell and further pressure saw another quick score 19-6. Things then got worse as both Towler and Clarke went off with injuries, so a bit of a reshuffle was needed to the back line. Chaz Walton and Ben Lewin had very good games both putting in some good covering tackles but the home teams qualities started to show and while Bolton pressed hard to get back into the game gaps were left which gave them chances which they took to score 2 more tries making it 29-6. Bolton had battled very hard against a team in 4th place in the league and the score line doesn’t reflect the match itself.
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16th February 2008
Bolton 4th XV 5 Thornton Cleveleys 2nd 14
A disappointing result as Bolton entertained opposition from the top 4 of their league. Despite taking an early lead and maintaining it thru 20 minutes of the second half, Bolton allowed Thornton to take the win with 2 late tries. However, the resurgence in form continues. We may even start training !
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9th February 2008
Tyldesley 4ths 21 Bolton 4ths 58
Bolton travelled to Tyldesley on arrival the home team notified us that they only had 8 players. Playing within the spirit of the game Bolton gave them 4 players to even things up so it was 12 a side. The game started with the pack driving straigh into the opposition and after some fine driving Cliff went over for a try on his debut the conversion was missed score 0-5. The kick off was returned with good yardage gained and after some sustained pressure a ball was dropped and break away in mid field saw the home team score + converted 7-5. Bolton kicked off and the ball was caught by the opposition who threw it along the backs who went over to score under the posts the try was also converted score 14-5. This was a bit of a wake up moment and the team rallied and decided to change the direction of play. From the kick off Bolton pressure saw the Tyldesley winger put into touch close to the half way line, the line out saw Cliff catch the ball and throw it to Keogh who ran the ball home Clarke converted score 14-12. Tyldesley kicked off and the pack returned with Barnes Turner and Singleton all playing a major part Bolton were being held close to the line and after a good rolling Maul Robinson went over to score 14-17. The next 15 minutes saw both teams throw the ball around and play some quality rugby but Bolton had started to apply the bigger pressure and after some fine play from the pack Cliff went over for his second try score 14-22. Straight from the kick off and a lapse in consentration saw the Tyldesly back row break into midfield and score under the posts the try was converted score 21-22. Bolton started to get nervous and as half time was approaching a big push was needed a break from Braithwaite and Clarke then to O'Byrne saw some good yardage gained an excellent bit of slight of hand from O'Byrne who flicked the ball to Keogh who ran from just inside the half to score 21-27 half time .
Bolton regrouped and decided to tighten things up in the second half personnel moved around to improve things. Bolton kicked off with the sun in the eyes of the opposition the ball was allowed to bounce and after some more good handling which saw it go from one wing and back with every player touching it and Cliff went over for his 3rd Clarke converted 21-34. Tyldesley went on the attack but got stopped short each time with Walton, Braithwaite,Cruice and Clarke defending the back line with some good tackles. With the backline looking after itself the pack started to turn the screw Barnes was putting in some big runs as this was his last game for 4 weeks as he is off to Australia, (he is the first of his clan to arrive there without chains on by the way) Turner and Singleton were also putting in the yardage with good tackles as well, the ball was moved through hands and Robinson finding himself on the wing went over to score. Keogh converted 21-41. Domination from the pack saw Bolton score again through Cliff getting his 4th on his debut Keogh converted 21-48. Then the highlight of the game saw Cruice get the ball in space on his own 22 yard line under normal circumstances he would have legged it up the field but something went wrong between the brain and his legs, co-ordination and all normal thought process went out of the window and had a TV crew been there then Cruice would be advertising Stairlifts or motorised scooters. Bolton scored 2 more tries from Keogh without being converted final score 21-58.
Special thanks to the 4 players who played for the opposition and gave good accounts of themselves.
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26th January 2008
Bolton 4th XV 48 Clitheroe 2nd 7
Clitheroe tied up their whippets and travelled down to Bolton sparking tha' clogs as they went. They were looking forward to this game as the previous fixture saw them beat Bolton who had only 13 players whilst they had 19, and how they laughed at the Bolton team which was a HUGE mistake as Lector never forgets and knew that some serious payback was due with a nice Chianti perhaps!! Bolton took to the field in the unusual position of having subs a plenty, the old boys network found some players returning to boost the home team. Clitheroe turned out with their own boosted squad as the local pigeon racing championship was called off due to the smog from the local chimneys. The game started at a fast and furious pace with Bolton forcing the pressure from the start. Good driving running from Paul Barnes, Mark Robinson and Mark Turner Snr saw Clitheroe pinned in their own half for the first 15 minutes but without scoring. A ball dropped on the Clitheroe 22 saw they away team bring the ball into Bolton's half slick handling and the centre was away on his own with only one man to beat but Simon Clarke on his return from self imposed exile nailed his man and broke up the attack. Then disaster as Duncan Trench playing at standoff on his return tore his bicep muscle and had to leave the field and a swap round took place, whilst getting the positions sorted a lapse in concentration saw Clitheroe break away to score under the post and converted the try 0-7. Straight from the kick off the ball went deep Clitheroe tried to run it back but a fine tackle from Chris Turner Jnr and the ball spilled to Les Towler who beat 3 players before passing the ball to Ian Hart who scored on his return to the club Turner Jnr converted 7-7. The speed of Bolton's equaliser seemed to deflate the away team and their next attack was broken up by a great cover tackle from Simon Braithwaite, Bolton continued to press but couldn't score again half time 7-7.
Bolton kicked off the second half and went straight on the attack Clitheroe were shocked at the pace and ferocity of the Bolton pack, a mistake handed a scrum to Clitheroe the ball went in and Nick Griffiths stole it back the ball went out to Turner Jnr now playing 10 a mazy run round the outside of the pack beat 3 defenders and passed a lovely inside ball to Derek Keogh who ran it under the posts,converted by Turner Jnr 14-7.
From the kick off the ball was caught cleanly by Hart who straight away went on the attack the pack in support moved the ball 40 yards up field slick handling saw Turner jnr score under the posts and converted his own try 21-7. Clitheroe started to try and move the ball away from the pack and the occasional ball over the top saw Clarke clean up with ease move the ball upfield and attack again Dave O'Byrne was given the ball in space with a defender in front and like the Titanic with an iceberg in front the decision was either to the left right or to the right or straight ahead.He went straight through this time the iceberg got crushed the ball was handed to Turner Jr who scored his second which he converted 28-7. Another kick off for Clitheroe this time the ball went deep good handling and movement another good attack was beginning to take shape the whole pack handled the ball as they went from their own half to the Clitheroe 22, the ball was released to Turner Jnr, Towler then Ben Lewin who looked like he was going to be stopped 10 yards out but he backed himself and went round his man for the try of the match 33-7. Clitheroe were starting to fall apart and ill discipline saw them to start making mistakes, in trying to stop Bolton from breaking the gain line they came up very flat, Keogh now playing scrum half seeing this pinned them back into their own half with some excellent kicking, on one occasion the ball went deep the full back was alone with Keogh and Lewin attacking with intent + malice, (well Keogh was). The full back stumbled lost the ball then the retreating winger tried to rescue his DOOMED colleague a penalty was given away, Whilst Clitheroe walked back a quick thinking Towler picked up the ball took the penalty and ran straight at the smallest winger little Timmy went straight through him to score.38-7 More about little Timmy in a moment. Bolton refused to let up the pressure and they went of at a controlled gallop again beating players with ease then it happened the highlight of the game Barnes on one of his power runs had little lame Timmy who was still shocked from being hit by Towler in his sights and froze like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car. Every player to a man started to think of things to say to little Timmy's bereaved family, Barnes smiled as he was going to flatten Timmy and go on to score. Shock, horror, little Timmy who rides whippets in the local Racing hurdles showed great strength and tenacity to nail Barnes with a fantastic tackle, supporting players couldn't pick up the ball to score due to uncontrollable laughter. With only 5 minutes to go Bolton pressed for more tries and after some good tackling from Tommy Lee and Turner Snr the ball was again given to Turner Jnr (family thing) and a good pass saw Lewin go over for his second try 43-7. Another great move by the whole team saw Bolton camped on the Clitheroe line and after some good support work Lee forced his way over 48-7.
A great win for Bolton and a lesson for the Cloth capped lads from Clitheroe who went back home without a single spark in their clogs.
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5th January 2008
Bolton 4ths 41 Kirkby Lonsdale 10
The sheep shearers from Kirkby Lonsdale travelled down from the northern farmlands to the bright lights of Bolton. The shearers keen to put one over the home team arrived early and were going through there drills which would have looked impressive had anybody bothered to watch em.
Then it happened, the home team athletes trundled out onto the pitch, one or two had to be rolled out due to the Xmas excess. The captains met for the toss of the coin, the ref spun the coin high into the air and it then landed on its edge "who called heads" he said as both the captains raised an eyebrow wondering what the next 80 minutes would bring???. The game started at a fast and furious pace Bolton's pack started to dominate with Barnes and Oates driving the opposition forwards back with some dominant running. Good support from the pack meant that Kirkby were pressed deep into their own territory fancy handiwork from Griffiths saw the ball land into Towlers hand who was unstoppable from 10 yards out 5 nil. Straight from the kick-off Bridgewood caught the ball and made a break 20 yards into the Kirkby half, again good support meant that the home team were on prowl for another try Kirkby's defence couldn't stop the tidal wave of pressure and Robinson was over for a try 10 nil. Fifteen minutes had passed with Bolton dominating every facet of the game the pace was unrelenting. Hard tackling in the middle of the field by Braithwaite and Parkinson and the ball was spilled Keogh seeing an opening kicked the ball 30 yards upfield using the outside of the boot, the ball was still in and he beat the winger with another bit of fancy footwork bringing the ball inside the fullback then picking it up to score 15 nil. Whilst walking back into his own half Keogh realised that one of his lungs had decided to offer itself up for transplant as it though it had a better chance of being alive on Monday morning, should anybody see the said item wheezing around the local area please notify the club ASAP as it its partner isn't doing to well on its own. 20 minutes into the match and still Kirkby couldn't get into the Bolton half and Bolton Started to spin the ball out with the home team looking dangerous every time they had the ball. Good yardage was gained and 15 metres out from the line a scrum was given the ball went in and great skill and leadership by Turner saw the opposition scrum get driven back with him scoring comfortably 20 nil. Bolton feeling confident forgot some basics and on Kirkby,s first real attack they went in from 35 yards out.
20 - 5 HALF TIME.
Bolton took the time to regroup and decided to attack at every opportunity. A fantastic move down the right hand side of the pitch with every member of the pack touching the ball it was controlled then passed out to standoff Towler who with a long miss pass got the ball out to Parkinson who ran the ball in from 15 yards out for his debut try Bridgewood converted 27 - 5 . The spirit was high and some of the rugby played by the 4ths was great, the pack drove on down the right hand side again Griffiths had another one of his power runs 25 yards were gained Singleton to Barnes took the ball on another 10 yards popped the ball then reminiscent of a scene from Finnians Rainbow Robinson danced around the opposition winger to score, the help of the 10 leprechauns in his pocket obviously helped. Bridgewood converted 34 - 5.
Kirkby moved players around to stem the flow of points down their left hand side.Bolton being sneaky played down the opposite side again good driving in the pack and the ball was stopped 2 yards short of the line Turner steadied himself the pack was ready Keogh cheated sorry moved a Kirby player out of the way andTurner leapt over the bodies to score his second Bridgewood converted 41 - 5. Then the highlight of the game Rigby picked up the ball 20 yards inside his own half then like a virgin with a page 3 model standing in front of him gagging for it gave 20 seconds of promise, died, then a spurt and it was all over. Very forgettable but not by his colleagues. Whilst still giggling over the messy Rigby, Kirkby kicked a cross field ball which bounced kindly and they scored. Final whistle 41 - 10
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1st December 2007
Fylde 38 Bolton 4th XV 0
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24th November 2007
Bolton 4th XV 5 Chorley 2s 35
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17th November 2007
Rossendale 3s 31 Bolton 4th XV 7
Bolton travelled to wind swept Rossendale in the Halbro Plate hoping to capitalise on last weeks win over the home team, but hadn't counted on them bringing in some ringers. Yes, the home team brought in 5 mutant cave dwellers from just outside middle earth whose size, strength and mentality Bolton couldn't match. The game started at a furious pace and Rossendale pressure took its toll and 2 mistakes by Bolton let in simple tries that went unconverted 10-0. The pack tried valiantly to match up to the home team but the strength of the mutants took its toll and Bolton lost first Mark Down then Ben Lewin to injury which meant a reshuffle of positions. Whilst the team sorted itself out 2 tries and 2 penalties were conceded half time 26 -0.
Bolton rallied after the break and spent the first 10 minutes trying to break through the home teams line, good running from Henderson Higgins and Coates on his debut kept the momentum going forward only to be stopped short on several occasions. The spirit in the team was excellent again and this showed when Keogh was asked to have a 10 minute rest after the home team full back got his arm stuck in a strange position which didn't have anything to with foul play, origami or any other folding exercises ! The extra man that Rossendale had couldn’t get them any extra points due to good tackling from Bridgewood, Griffiths and Braithwaite. Thinking the game was won 4 of the cave dwelling mutants substituted themselves and went to find some sheep to abuse and eat, this gave Bolton hope and the game was on. Again good handling and direct running from Towler and Turner and yardage was gained, Bolton picked up the pace and after a move which saw every player handle the ball Sunny Kwok mesmerised the home team defence with some nifty footwork to finish off a fantastic team move from 30 yards out. Harwood converted (if he hadn't then he would have been sent into the hills to replace the sheep!!). 26-7 The try incensed the last of the mutants who went on a rampage trying to do his best to act out his revenge, at one point using his elbow to remove brain matter from O’Byrne’s head. When asked why he was doing this the mutant replied ”it makes me feel good". 5 minutes to go and Bolton still pressed on, trying again and again to cross the line. The ball was spilled and the home team charged downfield, the cave dweller received the ball broke the first tackle then put his head down and ran straight into Dave O'Byrne who didn't move. This resulted in the cave dweller seeing stars and he staggered off dragging his knuckles behind him. A lapse in concentration saw the home team run in a late try and Bolton were out of the cup.
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10th November 2007
Bolton 4th XV 12 Rossendale 3s 6
Whilst wandering through the wilderness Keogh stumbled upon a man from Nazareth who said cast out thy net and they will come. And yes they came, the 4th team walked upon the hallowed turf at Avenue Street with a full compliment of disciples of rugby. The 15 disciples took the challenge of Rossendale 3rds as a serious task and they faced up to a team, 6 places higher in the league and the trials began. Straight from the kick off the over confident visitors tried to smash their way through Bolton's pack and make their statement of intent known , but the home team stood tall with a full squad all supporting each other the walls of Jericho stayed upright. Big hits from Higgins, O'Byrne and Woodbridge stemmed the early attacks from the visitors and after 10 minutes of sustained pressure they left with only 3 points. Bolton then marched up field with Barnes and Griffiths smashing the opposition back, good yardage was gained and the home team took the to the challenge and they drove the visitors back with a game of rugby that some of the higher teams would have been proud of. After a line out in Bolton's 22 with good play from Down and the 61 year old Singleton a move was a foot Bolton pressed and crossed the half way line Sunny Kwok ran a further 20yards confusing the opposition with his changes of direction, the forwards all supported each handling the ball this was class rugby, Towler took the ball over the oppositions 22 and in the tackle presented a lovely ball for man of the match Barnes to drive over from 20 Yards. 5-3 Rossendale stunned by the home team’s game tried to throw the ball out through the backs but good defence by Bridges Towler and Lewin stopped them in their tracks. Quick thinking by Kwok and he was off jinking all over the pitch creating space ,support from the forwards and Bolton were deep into the visitors half, slight of hand from Harwood saw Bridges score under the sticks Harwood converted 12-3.
Rossendale tried hard to break down Bolton's defence but could only manage a penalty in the second half 12-6.
The spirit shown by the 4ths will surely mean they will be well off the bottom of the table if they can continue to play with a full 15. The chairman has PROMISED to turn out and play for the 4ths in the near future but he doesn't know that yet (that man from Nazareth told Keogh so).
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3rd November 2007
Kirkby Lonsdale 3s 55 Bolton 4th XV 22
Yet again Bolton played with players missing and 11 travelled to Kirkby. The home team who are 4th in the league started with an extra man advantage. As Bolton struggled to get the tiredness of the travelling out of their legs Kirkby got 2 quick scores in 14 - 0. The pack took the game to Kirkby and pushed them back scrum after scrum but the extra man advantage was telling as they home team capitalised on some poor handling in the backs and scored 21-0. Straight from the kick off the pack caught the ball and drove straight back up the field and pressure told as a penalty was conceded Harwood converted 21-3. Sunny Kwok was all over the park trying to break the gain line but Kirkby's extra man meant that their defence was better organised.
Half time came and Bolton decided to keep attacking the pack and after another power play by Grimshaw and Crimmins saw Bolton gain 30 yards the ball went to Higgins and onto Harwood who scored then converted 21-10. Another fine run from Sunny was stopped by the very round number 10 who then proceeded to restrain him by the neck, seeing this Keogh requested that the 10 release sunny and questioned the number 10's salad allergy , the response from the 10 saw both infront of the referee who decided that 10 minutes behind the posts would calm things down. (his 10 minutes would've been better spent on a tread mill in a sweat suit). With the home team losing the key player in the backs Bolton pressed again and a fine team move ended with Nick Bridge scoring on his club debut 21 -15. Kirkby brought on 2 subs in the backs and the fresh legs and man advantage took its toll as the home team ran in 2 quick tries 35- 15. Bolton pressed again and had 10 minutes close to the Kirkby line without scoring when an intercepted pass was run in by Kirkby 42-15. Disheartened Bolton waited for the restart andsome good tackling by Davenport and the ball was back in the pack Higgins to Sunny to O'Byrne who drew his man and released the ball to Keogh who rounded the last man to score under the posts Harwood converted 42 - 22. Kirkby then kept the ball away from the pack and threw the ball along the backs good tackling by Lewin wasn't enough and 2 more tries were run in 55-22. Had Bolton started the game with 15 players then they would have surely won again the spirit and commitment was great.
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27th October 2007
Bolton 4th XV 10 Aspull 2nd 62
An under strength and inexperienced team faced the might of a well drilled Aspull team. The game started with the away team using the extra man advantage to score a couple of quick tries. Bolton rallied to take the game back to the opposition but the lack of experience + failure to capitalise on good field position saw the home team with only 2 converted penalties on the scoreboard. Good play from the forwards in the loose put Aspull under pressure but the extra man advantage took its toll and they were able to capitalise and run in another couple of tries.
The second half started with Bolton throwing caution to the wind and attacking from everywhere with Sunny Kwok playing a very fine game at scrum half and Martin Plimmer driving hard into the Aspull centres. Bolton lost 2 players to injury and so Aspull had a 3 man advantage which helped them to score 4 more tries. The 4ths showing a good team spirit never gave up on the game and chased every ball, the decision was made to run every penalty and the forwards drove hard and fast into the Aspull pack with good runs from O'Byrne and Keogh good ground was gained and the ball popped into man of the match Martin Plimmer hand for another good driving run from 25 metres out to score under the posts. The spirit shown by the 4th team will surely mean a change in league position once they get a regular + full team out.
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20th October 2007
Clitheroe 2s 34 Bolton 4th XV 14
A under strength 4th team put in a brave performance as they lost at Clitheroe. However, there were good debuts for 3 new players to the club who all played their first games of rugby ever!
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13 October 2007
Broughton Park 4th 10 Bolton 4th XV 12
A good victory for the 4th team saw them move through to the next round of the Halbro cup. The deciding try scored by captain Micky Kay running the length of the field after an interception.
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6th October 2007
Bolton 4th XV 34 Tyldesley 4s 3
The resuscitated 4th team reversed a run of poor results with a fine win against a spirited Tyldesley side. Bolton's forwards dominated the game with strong performances from Ash Cooper, first to every breakdown, and Chris Barr. The Keogh brothers ran in Bolton's first two tries. These were followed by a try from Ben Doyle after a well worked backs move. Prop Chris Mee topped a good game another try and the final was added by the excellent Rich Lamplugh. Ben Harwood capped another fine performance with 3 conversions and a penalty.
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22nd September 2007
Bolton 4th XV 7 Wigan 4th 57
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15th September 2007
Carnforth 10 v Bolton 4th 16
Bolton were unlucky in this result. A penalty from Ben Hardman and a great try from prop Wignall had them on the front foot. Rigby was unlucky to have a try disallowed and James Dean made a TERRIBLE mistake in the final seconds which would have given Bolton a draw.
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8th September 2007
Bolton 4th 14 Preston Grasshoppers 34
The 4ths scrambled a team together with seconds to go before kick off. The experience of Paul Barnes and Shaun Crimmins in the big Bolton pack helped against a well drilled and experienced Preston side. Bolton fell behind in the first couple of minutes to two lucky tries and chased the game from then on. Chris Mee and Steffen Graul were the pick of the Bolton pack both producing excellent hard work. Danny Barlow was the best of the backs but sadly had to limp off in the second half. Hard work and endeavour from Bolton made Preston, currently league leaders, graft for their twenty point victory.
Bolton 4th XV 0 Fylde 39
Bolton's final game of the season was against third placed Fylde Vets. To say that their performance was clinical would be an understatement. They controlled large portions of the game and only the Bolton defence and determination by the Bolton forwards kept them at bay. Even the referee found little to blow the whistle for. Fylde arrived ready to win. A full squad of 21 players and some supporters left the Bolton team of 14 looking slightly lightweight. That said a great game was the result, which left the fourth teamers looking forward to the new challenge of next season.
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12th April 2008
Chorley 19 Bolton 4th 8
The 4th's made the short trip to Chorley and played in what can best be described as a field. The first injury of the day was the referee who got stuck in the mud and fell over, twisting his ankle. After treatment he came back on and refereed a hard fought tussle on difficult terrain. Bolton's try was a fine number eight pick up from John Singleton, he ran and drew his man before releasing Danny Barlow to sprint for the line. The match was stuck at 14 - 8 for a long period and it looked like it was only a matter of time before Bolton would score. But the Chorley defence always did enough to hold Bolton out. Then with 5 minutes to go, a Chorley break allowed them to press the Bolton line and score. Final 19 - 8.
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5th April 2008
On Saturday there was only 1 senior game with many of the club away on tour duties.
Bolton 4th XV 7 Ormskirk 11
In a close fought match, Bolton lost out by 1 score to the experienced visiting side. Andy Jolly (senior) scored his debut try when he ran the length of the pitch to receive the pass from flagging winger Baldwell.
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29th March 2008
Preston Grasshoppers 3 Bolton 4th XV 5
"At least we'll be playing on some decent pitches" was the thought as we drove up the M61 to Preston. Then the heavens opened and torrential rain ensued. In a closely fought contest, Bolton managed to pip the team 6 places above them in the league. Bolton made better use of the ball when they had it and a superb team try mid-way thru the first half was to prove the difference between the teams.
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15th March 2008
Aspull 2nd 41 Bolton 4th 0
Bolton travelled to 2nd place Aspull with another remixed team.
Bolton kicked off with the wind behind them, the ball was caught by Aspull who ran it straight back to score within the minute score 7-0. It was obvious at this point that the home team had a few players who were missing 1st team action. Boltonkicked off again this time the ball was caught and Bolton contained Aspull for 2 minutes before the ball was run in under the posts 14-0. Using the wind Bolton kicked down field but failed to capitalise on some good possession, the pack drove on relentlessly but couldn't quite get over the try line. Robinson Down and Coates had the front row sorted and won several scrums against the head.(novelty). The game was split between 2 different factions as Bolton's pack was able to contain its counterparts, but the backs couldn't quite match the quality of Aspulls due to their classy players. Missed first up tackles gave the home team the opportunity to create overlaps and should have scored plenty more tries but for some brilliant cover tackles from Walton, Lewin and Towler. A line out to Aspull the ball goes loose, Keogh who unusually was offside got his boot to the ball the same time as the scrum half's fingers did (no contest), the ball was loose it was then kicked upfield Bolton had a chance to score. Keogh kicked it past the full back, 40 yards had been run then the Bolton captain ran out of legs as the youthful backs rallied back to take the ball and clear. Just before half time a lapse in concentration and Aspull scored again under the posts 21-0.
Half time saw Aspull bring on some fresh legs, deep joy thought the old men of the 4ths. As Bolton tired the home team scored 4 more tries final score 41-0. A good performance all round as Bolton gave a very good account of themselves against a team 2nd in the table with some very good players.
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8th March 2008
Bolton 4th XV 13 Carnforth 2nd 0
Mid-table Carnforth travelled to Bolton with only 12 men, so gamely Bolton lent them 2 players. In miserable conditions and playing into the wind, Bolton were under pressure from the kick off as Carnforth constantly kicked the ball down towards the Bolton line to keep the pressure on. Some good breaks by Martin Palmer in the centre allowed Bolton to keep moving upfield but from any turnover ball Carnforth again cleared their lines with long kicks. Les Towler, playing on the wing, made some searching runs. Usually searching for breath afterwards. As Bolton 's attacks grew more frequent, that spent long periods in the Carnforth 22. From one of these Gary Barlow, playing at 10, slotted over a neat drop-goal to open the scoring, pulling his hamstring in the process. Despite further pressure from Bolton they couldn't cross the line again. When Carnforth pressed forward, good defence never let them get too close to the line. Half time 3 – 0
With the wind at their backs Bolton opened the second half as Carnforth had and used the wind to put long searching kicks into the Carnforth half. Bolton's scrum advantage told as Martin Higgins Marshalled the pack to push over the Carnforth line before he nipped in to touch the ball down. 8 - 0. More pressure from Bolton kept most of the play for the half well in the Carnforth half of the pitch. New found prop, Ian Tallo, almost made the line on his first game for Bolton, but was held up feet from the line. As the heavens opened Bolton pressured the Carnforth line again, and from the back of a ruck Higgins once again dived for the line. 13 - 0. Many thanks to Andy Jolly who played the whole game for Carnforth. He made some good breaks and also some good tackles. Note to Captain - keep him on our side next time !
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15th March 2008
Bolton 4th XV w/o vs Colne & Nelson
Bolton's opposition failed to show which was a disappointment for captain Derek Keogh's men. The last few weeks has seen the team gel to produce some sterling performances and they fancied their chances against the team 3 places higher than them in the league.
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