Bolton u13s

The first of two head to heads with local rivals Eccles played out with a win in round one. The friendly match at Eccles was arranged after another local rival, Leigh, dropped out with low numbers.

A full squad played minus the two injury victims Myles Garth and Connah Mansfield, but bolstered by new boy George Johnston. From the kick off Eccles pushed hard and Bolton contained them with strong tackling from the forwards. Training paid of as the boys stormed up-field with Josh Padmore making a break to put Joel Matthews over in the corner to open the scoring. Not to be outdone, Lewis Picton joined the score sheet with a five yard drive, this time Jake Rimmer slotted the conversion from closer range.

Eccles were never far from the game though and a wayward kick from Bolton let the Eccles full back score in the corner. It was looking like a tough day as Bolton had to drive down the pitch, this time josh scoring without the assistance of the ginger ninja Joel.

End to end stuff as Eccles scored again to pressure the boys in red and black, the catching team were looking on with increasing frustration as the Bolton back line played to their opponents hands.

Once again the forwards took control and several strikes against the head by Ethan Greenwood and Piers Skeels Caldwell put the forwards close to the Eccles line. Alastair Harris, with the memory of a serious slamming two weeks earlier, took great delight in crashing his 4 stone frame over the line to round off at set of drives and handling moves.

More tries from Sean Carragher and Joel knocked the stuffing out of Eccles, and the floodgates opened with Josh, Lewis and James Harris rounding off the day with a 53-12 win.

Notable mentions for man of the match Seb Donnelly who tore into Eccles time and time again, James Sharples with two try saving tackles out wide, and to Oliver Mckeown and George Whitehead for demolishing the opposition scrum.

Thanks to Eccles for giving us the fixture at short notice, we will be back for the black sticks rematch next Sunday.