Bolton Claim The Silverware in a Close Cup Final

Despite missing a few players, including inspirational and oversize chinned captain Chris Cockton who was on vacation, Bolton fielded a reasonably strong line up to take on the unknown quantity that was Liverpool University.

It was evident from the off that the game was not going to pan out as many had predicted. Bolton expected to dominate in the pack but were held by a strong Liverpool line up who included representatives from both Lancashire U20's and North of England Students. Liverpool expected to dominate with their pace in the backs but found themselves defeated at each turn by Will Bate and Rhys Pritchard's speed.

A large crowd settled in for what was to be a very interesting contest in the blazing hot sunshine.

Bolton started the game a little on the back foot with uncharacteristic mistakes evident, especially under the high ball. Poor tactical kicking also stymied the Bolton rhythm whilst Liverpool were straight into their stride chucking everything including the kitchen sink into attack. Relentless waves of Liverpool attackers crashed into the Bolton defence only to be halted by the defensive wall of captain Ash Cooper and James Brodie, every tackle reverberating around the ground. It was evident that no quarter was going to be asked in the forward battle.

Liverpool were first on the scoreboard as Bolton, under pressure, held onto the ball for too long. Their kicker took the 3 points on offer.

After the first 20 mins Bolton began to find some rhythm with the solid forwards providing a set piece platform for Mike Mills to start to release Pritchard and Bate. It was from a scintillating break by Bate that Mills was the beneficiary to cross the line to open the scoring converted by Doherty. Bolton lead 7 - 3. Bolton could feel their continuity returning and with some solid line out ball coming their way from the accurate arm of veteran Gareth Evans and the plyometric power of flanker Nick Sandbrook, the game began to swing their way. It was not long before Bolton crossed the whitewash as James Brodie drove the pack across the line to ground the ball after some excellent close quarters work by the Bolton pack. Again Doherty showed unerring accuracy to land the conversion and Bolton were cruising. Bolton 14 Liverpool 3.

But Liverpool were by no means finished and hit back after conceding 3 successive penalties in their own 22 created too much for the Bolton team and Liverpool crossed in the corner. 14 - 10 to Bolton.

Bolton were visibly annoyed and a little aggrieved at the officials run of decisions and some of that frustration was taken out in the kick off chase to earn Bolton a penalty where they kicked for the corner. The line out was won and a great line was run by Rhys Pritchard to open up the Liverpool defence but unfortunately Bolton were unable to capitalise and the half was brought to the close.

Strong words from the Bolton skipper Ash Cooper saw his troops rally to produce some fine flowing rugby where, after a passage of play which included some delightful handling from the Bolton back line, allowed Mike Mills to cross for his second of the game with the conversion narrowly missed by Doherty. Bolton lead 19 - 10.

At the restart Liverpool came back and rapidly chalked up a try after some loose play from Bolton allowed turn over ball. Bolton 19 - 51.
Still in the ascendency Bolton attempted to push on and secure the game, but the University were not prepared to lie down and roll over and produced some fine rugby of their own to create a two on one opportunity against the Bolton winger which they finished with aplomb.
Again the Liverpool kicker failed to find his range but Liverpool were now in the ascendency with a 20 - 19 lead as the game headed into the last five mins.

It has been a long season and in previous finals Bolton have failed to provide that final surge that would have taken them onto victory, but after the grind and glory of the promotion game this Bolton side has epitomised the spirit of Bolton RUFC from across the years. Immediately from the kick off Bolton put the Liverpool pack under pressure and won a penalty as the Liverpool player held onto the ball. Doherty grabbed the ball and plonked on the tee and slotted it between the posts to secure 3 points and carry Bolton onto the edge of victory lane. 22 - 20 to Bolton and four mins to play, there is one thing for sure this Bolton side know how to provide entertainment for the supporters with some very tense finishes.

However Bolton were not to be undone and managed to claim a great kick off reception before working their way back up the park and securing a penalty for offside, again Doherty stepped up to slot the 3 points and Bolton were now a clear five points in the lead with two mins to go.

Kick off reception taken, job 1 done, the Bolton forwards drove slowly back up the park and did the hard yards, carries from Mee and Brodie ticked the clock down and Singleton looked to the referee who nodded and the kick to touch - anywhere will do before the crowd went wild. Bolton had done it - just reward for a fantastic two seasons of work and silverware for the trophy cabinet!