Cracker

In the final of the plate and all to play for against a strong Wigan team who fancied their chances. A good warm up and it was all down to the Bolton lads to try and bring the goods home.

From the outset the large Wigan pack hammered into the Bolton team and their centres attempted to batter their way through Seb Donnelly and Myles Garth. Not a chance. Powerful defending and very strong driving down the field put Bolton in the van. Recycled ball was moved out by Tom Platt via Jake RImmer and off went Myles Garth. Some excellent defence from our opponents also tied up the midfield, and it took a miss pass from Jake to send the Garth over for a try. Or was it ? The ref deemed Myles had dropped it over the line and Wigan breathed again. Undeterred, Bolton hammered at the line, but failed to to drive over the line under the sticks.

And on it went, Bolton driving up the field, some great breaks by Joel Matthews, Sean Carragher and Seb Donnelly, causing Wigan to scramble to try and stem the tide, It was all too good to be true, and so it was that Wigan managed to break away and score in the corner to put them in the lead 5-0. eyes were filling up (that was me) but to their credit the boys carried on with the game plan, with Wigan being saved by the half time whistle as Sean was scragged into touch as he tried to score the equaliser.

5-0 down and with the wind at our backs, the game restarted. Bizarrely, the first half pressure by Bolton started to swing towards Wigan. From a period of pressure, the backs finally managed to break free of the stranglehold to put Myles away again. This time there was no mistake and the Garth went over to pull the game level.

To and fro, with parents and coaches alike on edge in a great game of rugby. More pressure form Bolton and we edged ahead, again Myles going over after some great passing play usually associated with Wigan than Bolton. Wigan were now coming in harder and harder to try and pull the game back. A few of the boys were caring a few knocks and let Wigan in to level the score 10 points each.

At the death there were two end to end opportunities for both sides but no more tries. Well done Jake and Sean for bundling the Wigan centre over the dead ball line as he went under the sticks, but all good things come to an end and the spoils were shared (the under 14’s were waiting to start on the touchline). Bolton and Wigan agreed to split the cup 6 months each.

A good result, and I am told its the first time a junior side from Bolton has had their name on a cup from the first or second tier cup competitions. Ill be getting out my drill shortly ;-)