Through to the semis

A quarter final against Vale, no rain for a few days and no last minute cry offs. what could go wrong, apart from a mad scramble to find a neutral ref.

The match had to be started 15 minutes early to allow the ref to cross the touchline to referee the under 14's on the first team pitch straight after our match (thanks Neil). The game started ominously as Tom Simpson fluffed the catch and Vale had the scrum. Order was soon restored as Ethan Oliver and Sean decided to take the first few scrum against the head, and were careful in how far they drove their opponents backwards (well done boys...).

There were a few nerves out on the pitch and the early breaks were either snuffed out by some hard tackling from the opposition or we made a few mistakes at crucial times.

Vale countered well and Owen Lewis at full back collected some through balls and linked well in counterattack. The Bolton boys pressured the Vale line a few times, only to be held up as they went over by a determined opposition defence. Finally Bolton managed some quick ball and the ball sped out to Oliver Carbery who dove over in the corner to gain his first ever Bolton try.

Vale kicked off and the ball was gathered by Josh Padmore just inside his own 22. Unfortunately for Vale, they let him build up a head of steam and once moving it took some hard graft to stop the bolton juggernaut as he made 70 yards at real pace.

This again put Vale on the back foot in defence and soon after Lewis Picton made it 10-0 with his usual gritted teeth and never say die drive to the line.

Every credit to Vale as they rallied and broke through some disjointed defence to make good yards, with Seb Donnelly and Myles Garth making some big hits out wide on their opponents to keep the scoresheet clean,

A third try followed before half time as some slick hands from Alastair Harris, Tom Simpson and Sean Carragher put Myles away down the wing to run in and touch down under the posts to give Jake a chance to slot a kick over.

Half time and 17-0 to the boys. Time to bring in the chuckle brothers Connah Mansfield and George Whitehead, one at number eight and the other in the front row. Before long Mr Whitehead showed his power and bullocked downfield, only to be stopped when he saw James Sharples on his outside calling for the ball. In the ensuing melee Vale gained the scrum and George reverted back to plan A - dominate up front and give his opposition front row a hard day at the office

Vale came back into the game and it took a nice grub kick from Jake at centre to open up the defence to give myles half a yard to score and make it 22-0. Despite some strong pressure on the Bolton line and some panic stations in the backs, Bolton held on to keep the scoresheet clean. A final try came from a great break by Joel, Seb and Myles, adding pressure on Vale in defence to enable Myles to ground the ball.

Final score 27-0 to Bolton. A good all round effort against never say die opponents and onto the Tarleton in the next round.

Man of the match to Ethan who supplemented a good day in the scrums and lines with some great support runs.