Clitheroe now started to apply some pressure aided by the indiscipline of the Bolton team they ran the ball at Bolton going over for a try close to the posts. Converted 18 –15.
The game ended with a jubilant Clitheroe 18 – 15 winners.
Junior Colts Match Report
Fleetwood 34 V 5 Bolton
14th January 2007
This was a lovely day for a game of Rugby, no sign of rain, Sun shining and a pitch in very good condition. The only down side was a strong wind blowing the length of the pitch.
Unfortunately for Bolton the first half began with them playing into the strong wind and some good running by Fleetwood led to an early try under the posts which was converted. 7 – 0.
Following the restart Fleetwood regained possession and used the wind to very good effect getting the ball close to the Bolton line. Some panicky Bolton defence gave possession back to Fleetwood leading to try that was not converted. 12 – 0.
The Bolton scrum was struggling and allowing Fleetwood to regain the ball and kick to touch deep into the Bolton half. A poor line out gave the ball back to Fleetwood who ran in another try that was again not converted. 17 – 0.
After the restart Bolton put together a good move taking them into the Fleetwood half but they lost the ball in a tackle allowing Fleetwood to clear. Then there followed another spell of pressure resulting in a try, the conversion was missed and half time arrive with the score 22 – 0.
Immediately following the start of the second half a Fleet player tackled the Bolton receiver while still in the air, a bad challenge that winded but thankfully did not injure the Bolton player, the Fleetwood player received the yellow card and 10 minutes in the bin.
On the restart Bolton applied good pressure but once again lost the ball in the Fleetwood half allowing them to run the ball back into the Bolton half. Bolton did not make good use of the conditions or the man advantage and it was Fleetwood who applied more pressure running the ball well and going over for a try the was not converted. 27 – 0.
The scrum was now showing some signs of solidity and on occasion made life difficult for the Fleetwood players.
At last Bolton manage a reasonable amount of pressure in the Fleetwood half; they passed the ball down the line to give Bolton a much-needed try in the corner. A difficult kick was missed. 27 – 5.
Again Fleetwood restarted applying pressure to the Bolton defence, which stood up well, but eventually the pressure told and resulting in a try to Fleetwood. This was converted, 34 – 5.
Bolton then had some good possession in the Fleetwood half but poor handling gave away possession allowing the opposition to clear.
The game ended with the score 34 – 5 and clearly Fleetwood had made the most of the conditions, they handled the ball well and were well organised. At times the Bolton defence played very well but ultimately the pressure told and breakthroughs were inevitable. It was disappointing that Bolton lost possession when in good positions either through poor handling, ball being ripped or poor decision making.
Junior Colts Match Report
Liverpool Saint Helens 36 V 0 Bolton
3rd December 2006
The game started with Bolton trying hard but Saints looked a well-organised side. Following some slack tackling a breakaway for Saints led to a try that was not converted. 5 – 0.
A penalty conceded by Bolton following a scrum was quickly transferred into hands by Saints who ran in a try that was converted. 12 – 0.
Bolton then had their best spell in the game applying pressure but losing the ball when in a good position. Bolton gained further possession when they picked up a loose ball from a Saints scrum and charged for the line. Bolton had 2 scrums in front of the Saints posts but could where not creative enough and Saints out scrummed Bolton to regain possession. Following further pressure by saints another try was conceded and converted giving Saints a half-time lead of 19 – 0.
The second half started with pressure on the Bolton defence who resisted well. A promising Bolton move from a penalty broke down when we lost the ball and allowed Saints to clear to touch. Further Bolton pressure in front of the saints line was let down when again we dropped the ball and conceded possession. This allowed Saints to run the ball back into the Bolton half. A kick through the Bolton defence by the Saints number 9, easily the man of the match, ended with the Saints winning a race for the ball and a try was given by the ref, this was converted. 26 – 0.
After the restart a line out was won by Saints who’s number 9 jinked his way past the Bolton defence to set up another try that was not converted. 31 – 0.
Louis Critchlow then received a facial injury, whereupon the Saints number 6 was shown the red card. Much to his credit Louis returned to the pitch once the blood from his face was cleaned up.
The game restarted and following some very poor tackling Saints ran in another try that was not converted. The final whistle went with the score 36 – 0.
Saints are a well-organised team that pass the ball along the line well and always seem to have men over. They are strong in the tackle and powerful in the scrum. Even a Bolton with their playing heads on would have struggled but today this was not really much of a contest.
It was a shame that the game was marred by the antics of one of the Saints players and some of the Bolton side getting involved when the rest of the game had been played in good spirit. At least the two teams rightly shook hands at the end.
Bolton 0 V 22 Kendal
12th November 2006
This was always going to be a tough match, Kendal are top of the league and have only lost once this season and we can never be sure which Bolton team is going to turn up.
Thankfully a hardworking and determined Bolton turned up to play today. The game started with even pressure from both sides with Bolton looking good in defence. As expected Kendal applied pressure down the centre and complimented this with a good running game. However there was determined resistance from Bolton held Kendal at bay until a penalty was given following an off side by Bolton. This was kicked giving the visitors the lead. 0 – 3.
The Bolton lineouts were working well and some sustained pressure in the Kendal half went un-rewarded and unfortunately ended when we lost the ball in the scrum.
Sadly there was a long break in the game due to a serious injury to a Kendal player. The lad was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance, as a precautionary measure however he was moving his legs and talking so hopefully he will be all right.
It was agreed to move the game to an adjacent pitch whilst the Kendal player was being treated and this break changed the game as it allowed the Kendal players to regroup and the restart had Kendal fired up and pressing Bolton. Following an uncontested line out a Kendal player broke down the line and scored a try in the corner. This was not converted. 0 – 8.
Half time arrived and although under pressure Bolton had resisted very well and played some good rugby but without creating a good opportunity.
The second half started again with more pressure from Kendal well resisted by Bolton, probably the most significant difference was the kicking by Kendal which always seemed to bounce just before crossing the line and relieving pressure that Bolton were applying to the Kendal defence. A Bolton clearing kick was blocked giving possession back to Kendal who forced the ball over for a try by the posts. This was converted. 0 – 15.
Bolton continued to press but continued to be denied by good defence, strong tackling and some excellent kicking by Kendal. As the game drew to a close some tired tackling let Kendal in again under the posts, this was converted. 0 – 22. The game ended after this score.
This was a good display by Bolton against a solid Kendal team. Strong tackling and chasing by Bolton caused the Kendal players to mishandle on many occasions giving possession back to Bolton. A display like this against any other team in our league would certainly have seen Bolton score and probably win.
I would also like to pass comment on the ref who was excellent. Although he travelled down with Kendal he was in no way biased. He let the game flow and explained his decisions clearly.
29th October 2006
Hoylake 15 v 5 Bolton
What a wonderful day for playing rugby over on the Wirral, with the sun shining and such a blue sky it was difficult to believe it is the end of October.
The match started with possession even on both sides, first Hoylake would press and this would be defended well by Bolton and then Bolton would press but unable to break through. An excellent move by Bolton from a line out unfortunately broke down as Bolton were penalised for holding on to the ball in the tackle. Bolton was pressing Hoylake but would not make use of the wings and inevitably the moves broke down and we gave away possession.
Following a poor lineout and some panicky defending Bolton let Hoylake in for a try in the corner that was not converted. 5 – 0.
After the restart Bolton had a solid spell of pressure but some sloppy handling gave possession away. However Bolton put together a good move from inside their own half with Andy Holden taking the ball up field through the Hoylake defence. The ball reached Alex Baxter who ran in an excellent try, not converted. 5 – 5.
There was further pressure by Bolton however it was well defended by Hoylake that ended with a good clearing kick that was picked up and ran back into the Hoylake half.
Half time came with the game evenly poised.
The second half started with pressure by Hoylake that was being well defended by Bolton. Some ill discipline by Hoylake gave a penalty to Bolton who did not make the most of the opportunity when poor passing resulted in a knock on.
Further pressure from Hoylake with Bolton conceding ground eventually lead to a penalty that Hoylake converted. 8 – 5.
A good passing move by Hoylake took the ball towards the Bolton line however Bolton again defended well. A turn over in the scrum had Hoylake passing the ball well and the move lead to a Hoylake try that was ran in under the posts. Converted 15 – 5.
Bolton had a really good spell of pressure in the Hoylake half but could not produce the killer move that would result in the try they deserved. Following a penalty conceded by Hoylake, David Sulley tapped the ball and ran through a static Hoylake defence with the try line at his mercy only for the ref to blow up because of an injury to Chris Cockton. This seemed a curious decision as Chris was near the half way line being treated and certainly was not interfering with play.
There were no further scores in the game but Bolton defended very well following sustained pressure by Hoylake, with the forwards making some good crucial tackles especially man of the match Ross Kenny.
Overall a very solid display by Bolton, who defended well and put together some good moves, it was unfortunate that they could not convert some of the pressure into points.
Sunday 22nd October 2006
Bolton 14 V 19 Fleetwood
This was a much-anticipated game as previous Bolton and Fleetwood games had been close competitive games played in a fair spirit.
The game started with even pressure from both sides however when the first try came it went to Fleetwood with Bolton poor in the tackle, converted 0 – 7.
A solid restart had Bolton pressing into the Fleetwood half but good defence by Fleetwood prevented Bolton taking any advantage. A move by Bolton in the Fleetwood half was let down by poor support. From a turnover ball Fleetwood broke easily though the Bolton defence to score a try under the posts. Again Bolton missed important tackles, converted 0 – 14.
Half time came with both sides even in possession but Fleetwood had taken advantage of the poor tackling by Bolton to score their tries.
After the restart a good Bolton move broke down with a knock on. However Bolton regained possession and following a chip forward, which was picked up by Andy Holden o score under the posts, converted 7 – 14.
At the restart Fleetwood regained possession and ended a good move with a knock on, this let Bolton of the hook. Following a spell of pressure from Bolton a smart kick behind the Fleetwood defence allowed Simon Newbold to show an excellent turn of pace to run in the second Bolton try. This was very well converted from a tight angle, 14 – 14.
Fleetwood then started to apply pressure; an excellent tackle on the wing by Bolton’s Louis Critchlow stopped a nice Fleetwood passing move across the pitch. A break out by Bolton was stopped by an unfortunate knock on in the Fleetwood half. On the restart Fleetwood put together another good passing move and again some non-descript tackling by Bolton let them in for a try that was not converted, 14 – 19.
The final part of the game had Bolton applying pressure and Fleetwood defending very well. Probably the most controversial moment of the match occurred in the final minute when after sustained pressure Ollie Grisenthwaite picked up the ball and dived over the try line next to the posts. To the astonishment of the Bolton players, coaching staff and supporters the Ref disallowed the try stating that the ball was not grounded and was knocked on. After the game Ollie confirmed that he definitely grounded the ball but the records will show a loss to Bolton of 14 – 19.
This was an excellent game played in very good spirit by two well-matched sides. Bolton improved hugely after last weeks defeat especially the scrums and lineouts however they need to improve their tackles and get the opposition down on the ground. The support of the forwards and backs during moves is important and there were occasions when we lost possession because we lacked crucial support.
Junior Colts Match Report
15th October 2006
Rochdale 69 v 0 Bolton
The game started with pressure from Rochdale and well defended by Bolton that ended with Rochdale missing a penalty. Further pressure from Rochdale then resulted in their first try that was converted. 7 – 0.
After the restart Rochdale placed a good kick into the corner that was picked up by Bolton and the clearing kick cannoned of a Bolton player and gave an easy try to Rochdale. 14 – 0
We then had a really good spell of pressure from Bolton but this was well defended by Rochdale who turned over the ball and went on a good run into the Bolton half. A couple of missed tackles lead to another try to Rochdale, converted. 21 – 0.
This seemed to be the story of the match with Bolton missing tackles allowing Rochdale to run deep into the Bolton half.
At the restart Bolton where placed under pressure, lost the ball at a lineout and a good passing move by Rochdale created their next try although not converted. 26 – 0.
A further converted try to Rochdale before half time gave a very one sided score line of 33 –0.
The second half started with Bolton defending well but again Rochdale ran in another try, which was not converted. 38 – 0.
A spell of good pressure then from Bolton did not result in a score but did result in an injury and Bolton were down to 14, the Rochdale manager refusing to allow a Bolton overage replacement despite the score line. “ Its against the rules”.
After this the game was very one sided with a further 5 tries by Rochdale giving a final result of 69 – 0 and Bolton finishing with only 13 players on the pitch.
