Bratislava 2008
Weekend of 5th/6th April 2008
Brataslava 17 Bolton 50 (finally a win on Tour !)
Bolton left their concrete block hotel and turned up at the concrete block rugby grund. Having driven past a whole series of other concrete blocks - you do not get scenery like this everywhere!
The opposition also seemed to be like a set of concrete blocks with skinheads haircuts on top. Apart from the osama bin laden fly-half look-a-like.
They certainly looked fired up in their warm up session, and drew some nervous glances from the Bolton boys, who appeared tired and jaded, I believe some of them had been drinking the night before and had not had much sleep ! Apart from Paul Hunt, senior member of tour, who as ever took the game very seriously and had retired early to be fresh for the
game!!
Brataslava confidently kicked off and were stunned as a small mad Irishman named Peter Brogan ripped into them right from the start. This set the tone and Bolton played some great rugby for 30 minutes, mixing some direct running with great hands and speed. James Singleton showed some fantastic twinkle toed dancing, whilst Abbott demonstrated clinical finishing at its best - despite his bulk. John Hodgkinson popped up all over the pitch showing great distribution skills. John Keech mixed his threequarter skills with hard graft in the back row. Danny Joseph finished with two tries including a one yard drive after a 50 yard sprint from Brogan.
Although the side tired in the second half, especially the Senior centre! Thankfully Wayne Banks decided to tackle all the Brataslavan pack and Hunt's extra sleep started to pay dividends. Chrissie Turner kept the pack going forward with some great territorial kicks.
Meanwhile Slovaks kept battering away and were rewarded with three tries.
Bolton decided that conversions were not for them and ended with a Wilkinson record of kicked 10 missed 10, but at least it made the match close!
Can't wait for next year!
