Bolton U16s continued the great work from last week with another gutsy display against a traditionally strong team in Preston Grasshoppers.
With more injury worries before the game Bolton had to shuffle the team again, losing full back Dylan Hill and stand in Number 8 Ben Knowles it was another disciplined performance needed from the squad.

For 20 mins of the first half the game was on a knife-edge, each team trying to setup phases of possession and play the style of rugby they were accustomed to, and each team cancelled each other out.

It was a kick chase that led to the opening score - for Preston but this was the catalyst Bolton needed to get into the next gear. The forwards crashed the ball forward through phases of play and it was Jack Byrne standing in again at 12 that scythed through the Preston defence to level the score.

From then on it was one-way traffic, Harry Round turning the ball over, Jake Ryan darting around the sides to set up the stand in 13 Jordan Griffths for one of his brace of tries.

Try of the match has to go to Hooker and captain Bandon Booth. Picking the ball up inside his own half he squared up and ran over the Preston number 9 before handing off defenders and showing a clean pair of heels to the full back - the crowd loved that score.

The Cherry and Whites were never under any real threat after that and ended the match knowing that once again team work and positive attitude won the game.

Final score Bolton 22 Preston 5

U15s away to Preston Grasshoppers

The u15s travelled to Preston Grasshoppers for their first away trip of the year to one of the strongholds of Lancashire rugby with a depleted squad but keen to build on the momentum built up over the last few weeks. Preston however had other ideas and from the first phase of play, a spilled Bolton pass was pounced on by the big left wing who sprinted clear for the opening score, quickly followed by the second. Bolton were struggling to contain the large forwards and the pace of the backs but were determined to make a game of it and strong defending kept the Hoppers at bay. Despite the obvious size advantage for the home team, the Bolton scrum was getting on top with Max Hodson in particular, playing as an emergency hooker, giving the Hoppers something to think about. Harry Moxham and Jack Phillips were covering every blade of grass and along with Kynan Smith tackling everything that moved but the pressure told as another Preston try was scored. Bolton were now starting to get some possession and from a quality line out on the half way, Sam Howie sent a long pass out to his half back partner Robert Harris who fed Lewis Warburton who perfectly timed his pass to Josh Parry the full back cutting a great line through the Preston centres in a move straight from the training pitch. With the Preston defence splintered, Parry rounded the full back for a fantastic score converted by Howie. Unfortunately for the Cherry and whites, this stung Preston back into action and a further try was scored. For the remainder of the half, Bolton competed well, attacking with real intent, Tom Didlock and Shingi Chirimuta causing Preston all sorts of problems but just couldn’t find another score. One further try on the stroke of half time gave Preston a half time lead of;

Preston 33 Bolton 7

The second half started as per the first with a quick score for the hosts but from the kick off, a knock on gave Bolton a scrum in good field position. Number 8 and captain Marcus Crompton picked from the base and beat two defenders before feeding scrum half Howie who delayed his pass perfectly for Josh Parry to once again cut through the defence for his and Bolton’s second try converted by Howie. Bolton continued to press but the longer the game went on the more difficult it became for the small Bolton squad to deal with the inevitable knocks and injuries in such a hard physical game and Preston were able to run in a further 4 scores. This was a tremendous performance by the Bolton lads, who gave absolutely everything, and showed a huge amount of character, beaten by without a doubt a better team but nowhere near as one sided as the final scoreline (64-14 – not sure that can be printed), would suggest.

Picture is of the squad in their new kit for this year, with thanks to the main sponsors Severfield and also Ross Roofing

U13 Preston Grasshoppers v Bolton u13's

Bolton u13's were hoping to keep up their 100% record going into this away match against a well-drilled Preston Grasshoppers side, and worked hard to secure a solid victory.

The Bolton backs had a flying start with Oliver Keogh running in two tries in the opening four minutes. Levi Waite and Ben Price, returning this week from county duties, marshalled the team well. Bolton's forwards showed particular strength in clearing out from the ruck, with Shane Gillibrand , Connor Whittle and Connor Winteringham putting in hard work phase after phase and George Jackson Sam MacDowell and Mark Glynn showing the way with great tackles against bigger opposition.

Preston pulled two tries back to get on level terms before Keogh claimed his hat-trick after only 13 minutes to put Bolton back in front. Sam Atherton produced another immense tackling performance and was in the right place to touch over to bring the score to 4-2 on 20 minutes. Again, Grasshoppers pulled one back, but Bolton began to put some daylight between the teams before half time with Leon Hodson scoring the first of his own hat-trick before Keogh ran over his fourth try to put Bolton 6-3 up at the break.

For the first time this season the Bolton pack met their match, but good recovery work from Tyler Maley ensured he stole the ball and ran in a try early in the second half. Keen to get in on the hat-trick glut, Ben Price ran on to his own kick to put Bolton 8-3 up. Hodson scored his second shortly after to leave Bolton in a hugely dominant position. Bolton were reduced to twelve men for a time and were forced to reorganise, which they did with style. Preston used their numerical advantage to score two tries, but Hodson and Price completed their hat-tricks to leave the final score as Bolton 12 tries, Preston 5.
Bolton will welcome Heaton Moor to Avenue Street next week and will be hoping to continue his blistering form as long as possible.

U12 Home to Sefton

After a good start to the season's training and with the addition of some new players to the squad the U12s took on the "A" team from Sefton. Historically Bolton have had mixed results against this team but, unfortunately for Bolton, this was not to be a positive result. Sefton started quickly and dominated the first half scoring several tries with their good ball passing and work in the rucks and mauls. The second half saw a stronger performance by Bolton with them nearly reaching over for a try along with the great performances from the new starters but it was still not enough to overcome a very good Sefton team.

The U12s will have to look to next week's match to try and get their first victory of the season.

U10s vs Sefton

Under 10s played their first match of the season against Sefton. Bolton won the toss to kick off with Marley Dolphin passing the ball to Harry Davies who ran to get the first try of the match. Quick changes made by the coach ensured that our boys stayed on the front foot. With Sefton in play Bolton had to ensure that they kept the all important lead and this was maintained after some great tackles from Jack Entwistle, Rio Folan, Aaron Coriah and Jonak Iaha. George Heaton got the ball and created anothwr chance for a try making it 2 to Bolton. This was quickly followed by number 3 and 4 with Sefton getting two tries to attempt to even the scoring up.

Half time and Bolton are leading 5 tries to 3.

Sefton started the second half with a great try from them and Bolton followed with another try from Charlie Darbyshire and William Jopson. Some great defence was seen from both sides with some great tackles for Bolton from George Watts, Jonak Iaha and Bobby Owen and Bolton stayed in the lead. Final score was Bolton 9 Sefton 6.

Some work still needs to be done but a great start to the season with a good win from Bolton to boast confidence.

Bolton U9s v Sefton u9s

After last years season of unbeaten tag rugby the boys stepped up to full contact for the first time against new opponents at Avenue Street.

With a strong squad of 13 players with the core of last seasons stalwarts and a welcome injection of new blood the team got off to a blistering start building a lead of 6 unanswered tries thanks to awesome running on and off the ball in attack and tackling as if they had been playing contact for 12 months already!

Scrum half Corey Morgan bossed the attacking play and looked as if the position was meant for him !

With some great individual breaks by Oliver Brennand and Tom Green and some great tackling by new players Fay and Rueben Parker Quayle Bolton continued to dominate and went in at half time 10-3 up.

The second half saw Bolton throw the ball about more and try to be a bit more creative and build on the great first half. With plenty of player rotation the whole team were able to make there individual mark on the performance and Bolton ran out 18-5 winners!

All round a great start to contact rugby with a great attacking platform backed up with some really great tackling.