Tarleton v Bolton U-13's

Tarleton v Bolton u-13's 11th December
LOST 7 tries to 4
Team
Atherton
Belle
Glynn
Halliday
Hodson
Holt-Gregson
Hope-Barry
Jackson
Keogh
Maley
McDowell
Waite
Webster
Whittle
Winteringham
AKA The one where we smashed the second half (when the lads woke up!)
Bolton made the long journey to windy Tarleton in the hope that despite the squad being ravaged by the winter sickness bug they would be able to preserve their 100% away record.
The first half belonged to Tarleton who ran in five tries unanswered despite Bolton having the best of the scrums even with Fred Holt-Gregson playing out of position at loose head. This was a physical match with both teams giving no quarter and tackles flying in hard and fast especially from number eight Levi Waite and Sam Atherton taking no prisoners from the second row.
In the second half, Bolton began to dominate in all aspects of the game. Peter Webster hooked well to win several scrums against the head, and George Jackson and Sam McDowell were distributing the ball brilliantly. This gave the chance for the backs to show their undoubted class. Top scorer Leon Hodson touched down after a period of strong Bolton possession, then a 15 phase move ground inexorably closer to the Tarleton try line , eventually close enough for McDowell to touch down for Bolton's second. Oliver Keogh then topped off an exemplary backs performance in which he put in dozens of crucial tackles with a try which preserved his record of scoring in every game his season. Finally Tyler Maley resisted three tackles to break away and score a fine individual effort. Although Bolton conceded two tries in the second half, they finished well on top, and despite the 35-20 score line, were the better team overall.
This game was also memorable for both Sam A and Oliver K being invited to have a little rest by the referee. Both lads took it like men and should be proud of the way they shrugged it off and didn't argue or sulk. There was a little bit of needle at the end, but if you boys can ignore that then shake hands, smile and go and enjoy your post match food, then you have had the better time of it, win lose or draw. Looking at the two teams in the clubhouse any bystander would have said that we had won that game... As I said before, proud of you all for that second half display.
John.