Sunday 23rd November 2008
Aldwinians U17s 29 v 9 Bolton U17s
BOLTON succumbed to Aldwinians in difficult conditions away in Ashton.
The match was supposed to be a home fixture, but was reversed due to poor conditions at Avenue Street.
Bolton were always going to be up against it against the league leader’s, who have a 100% record this season, but they performed admirably against an accomplished team, and often troubled their opponents.
All of Bolton’s points came from the boot of Andy Crimmins, who distributed well throughout the match, although Aldwinians defence couldn’t be breached.
Notable performances came from Declan Hampton, who consistently out-scrummeged his opposite number, and Aaron Greer was excellent playing out of position on the flank.
Bolton did miss some tackles, which made things easier for their opponents, and they will also look back on an excellent last ten minutes as they dominated possession, and played with real freedom and skill.
If they had played to this game plan throughout, they would have got a lot closer to Aldwinians, but as it was, the home side’s superior power and bulk saw them home, but the score-line does not tell the whole story in a match where Bolton can be very happy with their determination, and skill levels, especially in the second half.
Sunday 16th November 2008
Littleborough U17s 7 v 0 Bolton U17s
BOLTON succumbed to a narrow defeat away at Littleborough.
Having lost 6-0 in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, Bolton knew what to expect from a physical Littleborough side, who were intent on using their superior size in the pack to their advantage.
Bolton seemed to be dealing with their opponents strength well, and started brightly, with the impressive Alan Martin and Bobby Bolton both carrying the ball well early on, but as the first half progressed, the Cherry and Whites failed to move the ball quickly enough away from the home side’s larger pack, and were duly punished.
After ten minutes, Littleborough drove the ball in for a number of phases, sucking in the Bolton defence, before a rare foray down the wing gave the home side, what was to prove, the only try of the match.
The second half was largely forgettable, as Bolton failed to enforce their game plan of playing for territory and producing quick ruck ball. They in effect played into the hands of their opponents, with only rare glimpses of good running from Stuart Evans, Matthew Trist and Rhys Pritchard to show for their efforts.
Despite this, Bolton did defend valiantly, and the Bolton forwards do deserve praise for some brave defending, with Josh Coates and Josh Hughes deserving special mentions for massive tackle counts.
Half backs Andy Crimmins and Adam Greenwood weren’t given enough quick ball on the front foot to release their pacy backs, and as it was Bolton suffered defeat against a team superior in physical size, but inferior in skill.
This will be a disappointment to the Bolton side, but it is a long season, and many lessons would have been learned from the experience.
Sunday 2nd November 2008
Vale of Lune U17s 0 – 22 Bolton U17s
BOLTON produced a strong second half display to see off an inexperienced Vale side.
It took a while for Bolton to get into their stride, as their opponents set about disrupting their play, and bringing Bolton down to their level.
The only score of the first period came from Matthew Trist after a clever chip over the Vale defence from Rhys Pritchard. Trist finished well under the posts, with skipper Andy Crimmins converting to give Bolton a 7-0 lead, at the break.
Despite dominating the first half, Vale turned the game into a scrappy affair, and Bolton were unable to get any pattern to their play, as the home side constantly kicked the ball back to Bolton, leaving the cherry and whites disjointed.
The second half was an improvement and the return of the injured Bobby Bolton seemed to galvanise the team, with Josh Coates also performing admirably in the line out and the loose.
Bolton’s back row of Gage Rosimus, Alan Martin and Ollie Pritchard began to over run their hosts, giving the Bolton three quarters some much needed space and quick ball.
It was only a matter of time until Bolton capitalised on their superior ball retention with James Kuligowski, Rhys Pritchard and Stuart Evans all scoring before the end of the game.
Despite the win, Bolton will be disappointed with their lack of aggression in the rucks, and their inability to score more tries against a team lacking their skill and experience.
Nonetheless, Bolton will take some positives from the win into their next match at home against Chester on Sunday, Kick off 12.30 at Avenue Street.
Sunday 28th September 2008
Bolton U17s 38 v 0 Ashton on Mersey U17s
BOLTON overwhelmed their Merseyside opponents with a pulsating second half display at Avenue Street.
Captain Bobby Bolton set the tone for the afternoon, with an interception score after ten minutes, Andy Crimmins converted, and Bolton were 7-0 ahead.
Although Bolton enjoyed the lions’ share of possession, Ashton did spend some time in Bolton’s 22, but the mistakes Bolton made last week were no longer evident, and they managed to thwart their opponent’s efforts.
After 25 Minutes, Full Back James Kulogowski collected the ball ten metres inside his own half and proceeded to scythe his way through Ashton’s despairing tackles to score a brilliant individual effort. The conversion was missed, but Bolton went in at half time with a well deserved 12-0 lead.
In the second period, Bolton seemed to move up a gear, with the impressive Rhys Pritchard scoring his first try just five minutes after the re-start. The tries then began to flow for Bolton, who began to dominate the rucks, with Gage Rosimus and Ollie Pritchard performing particularly well in the loose.
Skipper Bolton, scored his second and third tries after 20 and 28 minutes respectively, with Pritchard picking up his second in between after 25 minutes.
Bolton’s imposing second half display will send out a strong message to the rest of the league, which will undoubtedly build their confidence for the fixtures ahead.
Sunday 21st September 2008
Old Anselmians U16s 22 v 17 Bolton U16s
BOLTON suffered their first defeat of the season away at unbeaten Anselmians in a tight match.
The home side struck first with a penalty on five minutes, but Bolton Captain Bobby Bolton hit straight back with a try on fifteen minutes.
The game was then mostly played in the middle third of the pitch until the home side scored a try against the run of play to give them an 8-5 on twenty four minutes.
Despite troubling the Anselmians line on a number of occasions, Bolton couldn’t add to their score before the half time break.
Bolton only had themselves to blame for being behind at half time, as it was their mistakes rather than good play from their opponents, which had put Anselmians in the ascendancy.
Rhys Pritchard did his best to give Bolton the win with a well taken try five minutes after the re-start, following excellent work from Ollie Pritchard and Adam Greenwood.
Bolton now had a slender two point lead at 10-8, which lasted fifteen minutes, until Anselmians scored an unlikely second try, they added a third after a charged down 22 drop out fortuitously fell into the hands of the home side, this meant Bolton were 22-7 down with ten minutes to play.
Full-back James Kulogowski ran the length of the pitch to score a magnificent solo effort, but it was too late for Bolton, who made too many errors to warrant the victory.
Anselmians remain undefeated in the league, but Bolton will fancy their chances in the corresponding fixture at Avenue Street later in the season.
The Cherry and Whites have the chance to get back to winning ways next week at home against Ashton on Mersey, Kick Off 12.30.
Sunday 14th September 2008
Bolton U17s 24 v 12 Altrincham and Kersal U17s
BOLTON continued their 100% start to the season with a dominant performance against Altrincham.
Although the score suggests otherwise, Bolton were the better side throughout the contest, scoring their first try after only ten minutes with Man of the Match Rees Pritchard romping in for the first of his two tries.
Full back James Kulogowski added a further score on the half hour mark after a neat switch with Pritchard to give Bolton a deserved 10-0 lead, Bolton had the chances to build a bigger lead before the break, but failed to add to the score before half time.
Altrincham predictably came back stronger in the second half and scored their first try of the game after five minutes of the second period, Bolton however replied with two scores of their own through Pritchard and Captain Bobby Bolton, Pritchard kicked both conversions, and although Altrincham scored again before the final whistle, Bolton never looked in danger of letting their lead slip.
It has been an encouraging start to the season for Bolton, who sit joint top of the league with Anselmians, who are Bolton’s next opponents. This promises to be a tough match, but if Bolton can continue this form, they should fear no-one in the league.
RFU.com 
Search
