Bury 30* v 19 Bolton
We took a mammoth squad of 17 players on the long trip to Bury for this Sunday's fixture. We had three new faces this week who were made very welcome by the squad.
Sadly the excessive travelling seemed to affect the guys in the first half and despite sterling efforts by Tom H and Tom Mc and some strong
running by Josh the team were outplayed and also left their tackling heads in the car park. Bury ran in five tries without reply but Josh
did brighten Bolton hearts with a superb break that was only halted millimetres from the Bury line.
Some serious discussions were held at half time and a low and behold we had a rugby team for the second stanza. The guys started to play like they meant it and even though Bury crossed for a try Bolton heads never went down. Tom H started to get his hands on the ball and run with purpose, Faraaz took up the challenge and made one barnstorming run through three separate tackles and the guys took their play up another level. Tom H smashed over the line closely followed by debutant Adam who was excellent throughout. Bury crossed once more but after some excellent interplay by backs and forwards Firth crossed the line to complete the scoring. Tom recorded two conversions to make the second half score 19-10 to Bolton; a brilliant fight back. WE will contact the RFU and see if we can get special dispensation to only play the second half of games in future!!!!
All the squad played well and new boys Oliver and Harry showed some real potential. Adam was outstanding and well deserved his Top Tackler award. Josh and Firth kept the backs in control and Dylan, Joe, Ted and Carl all made telling contributions. It was especially rewarding to see Maria steaming forward, ball in hand, with no forward pass to bring her back this week. Nat was Mr Versatile and looked in control in all of the three positions he played and Joey's distribution and kicking was first class. All the forwards (Faraaz, Joseph, Tom, Jordan, Sam and Tom) really put their shoulders to the wheel and their performances get better and better each week.
Captain Tom claimed the Man of the Match award for a faultless display but was run very close by Tom Mc, Josh and Adam.
We are training at Bolton next Sunday so please come ready to do a bit more tackling practice as if we can just get our first up tackles a
little better we will have everything in place to be a really good side.
Well done to one and all for an excellent display and a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting game.
Bolton 26 v 34 Dukinfield
For the second week running the Under 11s played an 11-a-side game as this week Dukinfield were struggling for numbers.
Building on the improvements we showed last week the guys set off like a house on fire and had opportunities to be 3 tries to the good
after just 5 minutes. As it was we had to settle for just the one score.
Dukinfield slowly got themselves together and their prop who was playing his first game started to show some real potential with a few
barn-storming runs. As the half wore on Dukinfield built up a slight lead but Bolton replied just before the interval and by half time
both sides had scored two tries with Bolton holding a slender 2 point advantage.
That first 20 minutes was the best rugby we had seen the boys and girl play all season with some lovely handling moves, good work in
the scrums and mauls and some much improved tackling.
Unfortunately the second half started with Bolton leaving their tackling skills on the side-line and they soon found themselves on
the receiving end of three quick scores. Tom Mc restored some belief by crashing over for a try after a superb run by Dylan and just
before the final whistle Tom H scored his second try of the match from a determined burst after a penalty close to the Dukinfield line.
The final whistle blew with Dukinfield held up over the Bolton line, a fittingly exciting end to an excellent game.
It was good to welcome Firth back from illness and he played very well on his return. Joe's industry won him a deserved Top Tackler
award and Josh's all round play was as good as ever and he was rewarded with a well taken try. Special mentions need to go to Will,
Carl, Dylan, Joey and Nat for their contributions in the backs and it was such a shame that Maria's foray towards the try line had to be
brought back because of a forward pass.
In the forwards both Toms were again outstanding and Jordan, Joseph, Sam and Faraaz played well.
Our Man of the Match trophy this week went to Ted for a purple patch in the first half when he was simply brilliant.
Let's continue this improvement next week guys and that illusive win will surely not be far off.
Sunday 14th December 2008
Bolton 0 v 30* Southport
Sadly the year has ended with a further defeat. The team started well and in the early exchanges more than held their
own. However, this wasn't to last and once more our poor tackling let the guys down.
As always Josh and Firth tried their hearts out and one or two others (notably Sam and Joseph G) put their hands up and upped their games but it wasn't enough and the team was well beaten by a hard tackiing and strong running Southport outfit.
In the new year we need to work harder and tackle stronger but most importantly work as a team and for each other.
We are training next Sunday so lets finish 2008 with a strong session and then we can enjoy our Christmas party in the club at 2pm.
Heads up boys and girl and lets turn this round in 2009.
Sunday 23rd November 2008
Trafford MV 30* v 0 Bolton
Bolton 0 v 30* Trafford MV -- Cup Match
The Under 11s travelled to Trafford MetroVicks on a cold and wet day and went down to a much better side.
As seems usual the team started slowly and before you could say "I can't see for the rain driving into my eyes" were three scores behind.
In the tight the guys performed well but our tackling let us down badly and each time Trafford made a break a try surely followed.
The second half brought some improvement and Tom Mc was tireless in his efforts and Tom H ran hard and straight at every opportunity.
It was pleasing to see Jordan step up in the absence of several players due to illness and he deservedly won the man of the match
trophy. Maria claimed "Top Tackler" but it was a pity she had verylittle competition for the award.
Both Josephs tried hard and Nat and Reece both showed up well. Next Sunday we will be training at home (please be there by 10:30) so
make sure you bring your gum shields and a change of clothes as tackling practice will be the order of the day and if the team don't
go home exhausted and muddy something will have gone wrong.
Many thanks go to Paul for helping the team out in a coaching capacity once more; his assistance has been invaluable over the last
few weeks.
Well done to all the team for keeping going through a tough game; keep your heads high and we'll get this tackling thing sorted.
Sunday 16th November 2008
Bolton 14 v 30* Bury
The Under 11s definitely know how to make things hard for themselves and this week was no exception. Bury started off like a house on fire
and were 3 scores to the good after less than 10 minutes play. Finally the guys started to get things together and gain some
possession, however, the hard tackling Bury side kept their line intact.
Maria made a storming break and was only halted by a superb tackle and Josh was just pining his ears back as he had his ankles tapped; though he did receive a 9.2 for artistic merit for the fall.
Bury rounded off the half with a couple of scores to give the Under 11s a real mountain to climb after the break.
Faraaz had been playing really well but a couple of knocks left him dazed and shaken and he didn't make an appearance in the second half; thankfully he seems to be on the mend now.
A team talk by the coach and far more impressively a team discussion by the guys themselves changed things totally for the second half.
Suddenly there was fire in the Bolton bellies and the level of performance grew and grew. Again Bury crossed the line but now Bolton
were starting to get a fair share of possession and Josh raced in at the corner after beating three would be tacklers. As ever Tom converted.
Now with yet more confidence the Bolton play in the tight was exceptional and it was a delight to see all the things we had worked on
in training being brought to effect so successfully. Reece, Firth and Josh tackled everything that moved and the rest of the team started to
make their fair share of tackles too.
Maria was exceptional, Jordan solid but the plaudits (and the Top Tackler trophy) went to Tom Mc.
The coaches' eye was also drawn to some much improved performances from both Sam, Will and Joseph P. On several occasions Sam happily appeared from mauls, ball in hand, and we still don't really know how.
As the half drew to a close things were still tight and with just 7 minutes left on the clock Bury scored their final try. However, the
guys didn't let their heads drop and Reece powered over to close the scoring. Captain Reliable, Tom H, popped over his second conversion without a worry.
Well played to all the 16 person squad. Tom H as ever ran hard and straight and Carl and Daniel both did very well on the wings. Nat
showed his versatility by helping out everywhere and playing at least three different positions. It was also nice to see a new face this
week; Jake played his first match and made a great start showing real promise. We have big plans for his pace over the rest of the season. At the end the Man of the Match award went to Joseph G for an impressive all round display though Maria, Reece and Jordan all ran him close.
Next week sees a visit to Trafford MV in the cup; hopefully we can reproduce our second half performance for the whole game. Fingers
crossed.
Sunday 26th October
Eccles U11's 30* v 10 Bolton U11's
The U11s visited Eccles with a depleated squad due to 1/2 term to take on another large, strong and well drilled team.
We started slowly and were a couple of tries down in no time at all. However, the boys and girl rallied well andmanaged to get a try back
thanks to a great break by "captain-for-the-day Josh".
By half time Eccles were well ahead and we needed to re-group. A quick course in how to drive worked wonders for the second half which
was far closer and the guys lost by just two scores to one. Josh again scored our try and Joseph "The Crossbar King" managed to hit
the bar with his second coversion of the day. If we ever take part in a Crossbar Challenge we'll be world beaters.
Tom Mc was man of the match for a stirling performance and Reece won the Top Tackler award with another exceptional display.
Firth deserves a mention for one brilliant tackle and steal and Joseph for his great kicking out of hand. Josh and Firth never stopped running,
tackling and encouraging - thanks lads.
The whole team tried their hardest and never let their heads drop. Our tackling and defence is improving with each game, we just need to
work on getting and keeping the ball now.
Final mention for the whole pack who drove the Eccles scrum back to finish the game on a high.
Well done everyone, you were a credit to Bolton RUFC and yourselves as always.
Sunday 19th October 2008
Bolton Under 11's 21 v 30* Fleetwood Under 11's
The boys and girl from the under 11s played some lovely rugby and defended like Trojans against their successful and experienced visitors.
We finally discovered the merits of having a flat defensive line and ofsharing the tackling and any one of half a dozen could have took home
our new Top Tackler trophy. Marie pulled of the best tackle of the match when she scythed down the rampaging Fleetwood captain. Also,
Reece, on his first ever game of rugby, pulled off several copy book tackles. However, in the end, just for the sheer number of excellent
tackles the award went to Nat.
Our man of the match was Josh for his try, general hard running, organisational skills and all round play. Captain Tom H also ran hard
and straight and got two well deserved tries for his endeavours as well as three conversions.
All the team played well and it was pleasing to see such an improvement on last weeks game. All he players upped their game several notches but a mention for endeavour and bravery needs to go to Firth, Jordan and Joseph. We also need to say hello to two new recruits in Daniel and Reece who both played well in their first game.
Well done everyone and lets try and build on this for Eccles visit on Sunday and aim for a W.
We also need to say hello to two new recruits in Daniel and Reece who both played well in their first game.
Well done everyone and lets try and build on this for Eccles visit on Sunday and aim for a W.
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