U15's Match report Sun 15th Feb

Bolton Under 15’s entertained Oldham in a quickly arranged fixture when their opposition Bury cried off last week. Depleted Bolton due to half term and injuries managed to raise a side which was minus some key position players. 10 Bolton players were missing from their squad.

Harry Dawber went to hooker in place of the regular hooker and new player Regan Aspinall came in at outside centre. Josh Grundy dropped to full back and utility player Connor McGaughey went on the wing from his usual flanker spot. Matthew Moore back from illness went to number 8.

Both teams were evenly matched with neither team imposing themselves on the opposition except the Bolton forwards had the upper hand at the rucks.

Alex Greenhalgh playing at flanker was tackling out of his skin, Benjamin Turner stand in captain for the day was running the back line from the number 10 position.

Ten minutes into the game saw the first score of the game but that was to the away side. A solo run by one of the Oldham backs from the half way line and weak tackling by the Bolton team saw them go ahead 0-7 with a converted try.

Bolton had a lot of the possession but too many simple errors were costing the home team dearly poor passing and catching to name but a few, when there was a clear scoring opportunity. On a positive note Bolton’s rucking was effective and ‘Pod’ work was going well with Abdullah Hussein, Matthew Moore, Alfie Kay and Tom Crook leading from the front.

Oldham got a second try once again after poor tackling saw their speedy back race in.

Bolton turned up the pressure and playing from their strengths at the back of rucks some good driving play started to take them into the Oldham half. Quick ball from such a ruck saw the ball go out wide to Sam Dawson who was just pushed out of play near to the corner flag. From the resulting line out Oldham took their eye off the ball in an attempt to scramble it away and Matthew Moore pounced on the ball and dived over to score. Ben Turner converted the try.

The score at half time was 7-14.

In the second half Bolton continued where they left off and took the play to Oldham.

Further pressure in the Oldham 22m saw Matthew Moore playing at 8 go over for his second try.

Great forward play was duly rewarded. The try was unconverted 12-14.

Just when Bolton were clawing their way back Oldham hit once again 12-21. The home team’s heads never dropped, Sam Dawson had to leave the field with a head injury, Sam Seddon came on for Dawson and shortly afterwards Luis Jones came on for Alfie Kay.

Bolton got a deserved third try when Tom Crook dived over after pressure from the Bolton rucking close to the Oldham line. Ben converted the try making the score 19-21.

Oldham however came back strongly and scored once again after their full back collected a high ball and evaded the advancing Bolton defenders to set up their try down the right wing. The try was unconverted and the final score was 19-26. Three tries from Bolton’s forwards and four tries from the Oldham back line said a lot about the game.

A very close game with two evenly matched teams. Players of note however were Regan Aspinall playing at centre in only his second game for the Club. Alex Greenhalgh, Abdullah Hussein, Matthew Moore, Tom Crook and Alfie Kay were the pick of driving rucks. Cameron Richardson and Harry Dawber throwing, in tied up the line outs. Kier Kernick made some good driving runs and Connor McGaughey was sound playing out of position on the wing.

Tacklers award went to Alex Greenhalgh

Player of the match went to Matthew Moore

Most contribution went to Benjamin Turner.