Sedgey Park U15s vs Bolton U15s

Sedgley Park U15’s v Bolton U15’s
Away Lancashire Junior Rugby Challenge round 6

Weather: Wet.

Final Score Sedgley Park 7 Bolton 14

Tries: Hodson, McDermott
Conversions: Price x 2

Bolton returned to competitive action in round 6 of the league stage of the Lancashire cup with a 100 percent record. In a close away encounter at a wet and windy Sedgley Park, Bolton had to come from behind to maintain that record.

It was clear from the kick off that Sedgley Tigers were not simply going to make up the numbers and a brutal forwards game developed in the first half with the Home team having the best of the individual encounters on the pitch. Some stout Bolton defending through multiple phases was needed, with prop Shane Gillibrand showing the way with two early big tackles.

Bolton were struggling to move the ball out to Josh Moore and James Hopkinson on the wings, and Sedgley pressed through the middle resulting in a well deserved and converted try on 26 minutes. Shortly before half time, Bolton second row Logan Singleton thought he had scored, having misjudged the five yard line for the try line.

A firm team talk at half time resulted in Bolton showing more hunger and aggression in the second period, epitomised by the industry of Fred Holt Gregson and Oliver Keogh at flanker and the vision and speed of Ben Price at fly half and Leon Hodson and Harry McDermott in the centre. It was McDermott who started the second half comeback when Keogh intercepted a loose Sedgley line out before finding McDermott taking an incisive run at an angle who touched over for his second try in as many games. Price converted cleanly to draw the game level. Bolton continued to apply pressure, and twenty minutes before the end, a beautiful backs passing move between Price, McDermott and Hodson left the latter able to shake off three challenges and touch over to give Bolton the lead. On a blustery day and from wide on the left, Price scored the best conversion of the season to leave Bolton 7 points ahead.

Despite a resurgent Sedgley throwing all they had at Bolton in the closing stages of the game, Bolton held firm to win the match, a result which guarantees them at least second place in the group, and possibly top spot depending on scores elsewhere and with one game against Blackburn still to play.

Final score Sedgley 7 Bolton 14