1st team Match report 22nd October 2010

There was something in the air this week as league leaders Trafford MV visited the Theatre of Tree’s Avenue street, that something didn’t smell nice though as Bolton’s preparation seemed to show…this was far from ideal as this week’s visitors wanted to break the Bolton strangle hold they had over all previous visitors at home this season.

Further injuries hampered the Bolton selection committee this week as missing were Lloyd Green (out for the season with a knee injury), and Alex “Christopher Reeve” Youngman (out for several months with neck injury). Although even with two squad members missing Bolton still looked strong, Chris “Boyd off Neighbours” Singleton started his first 1st XV team game playing with his two brothers in the Bolton backline, whist Pete “Bald Eagle” Brogan** and Rhys “Daniela Westbrook” Pritchard bolstered the Bolton strength and depth from the bench. The squad leader this week was third in command Paul “abrasions” Sutcliffe who knew from the start he had a lot to contend with….starting with the turd on the pitch, there was also the matter of the dog faeces aswell which Sutcliffe took pride in scooping from the hallowed Mortfield turf.

Bolton as they had done in 3 or 4 matches started badly, very slowly and not as they had been working on. The initial take from John “Andrew Stone” Stryker was solid and the Bolton pack cleared the ruck with intent and purpose, but from that point on Trafford seemed to win the game within 5 minutes, a positional mistake from the home team gave Trafford possession and they attacked furiously sending the ball from one side of the pitch to the other before scoring with ease in the far corner, the conversion missed. Bolton rallied behind the sticks but just minutes after the restart found themselves under pressure as the ball continuously got punched into the air by the Trafford back three who smelt the nervous handling of the receiving catchers, another mistake gifted Trafford the ball back and like Wayne Rooney’s acquaintances on a night out Bolton were two down and finding it hard to swallow, the conversion this time slotted with ease.

It took Bolton a good 20-25 minutes to show signs of domination in this match and although they had left it close in the past the feeling both off and on the pitch was that this hole was too deep to dig out of, especially with the Blackpool beach type bucket and spade Bolton had in their grasp.

When the home team did make head way it was through the forwards who started to bully another strong pack in the tight, the scrummaging throughout the day was fantastic at times and showed what power Bolton had amongst their players. Excellent hard running lines by the likes of Chris “Thud Butt” Mee and upfront defence from back rowers Joe “Im just Joe really” Smith, John “Wrestling figures were always cheaper at Asda” Keech and Ash “Grab your Moat you’ve pulled” Cooper kept Bolton in the match at times but Trafford who were a well drilled side kept Bolton at bay throughout the mild onslaughts.

Half Time Score: Bolton 0 – 12 Trafford MV

The messages at half time were clear and to the point, improvements were needed and were needed fast, too much ball went walkabouts, too much key possession lost in important areas.

Bolton started the second half with a lot more intent, the ball protected more like a falcons egg than Michael Jacksons kids, Bolton at last had started to show intent in the open aswell as the tight. As always the line out ball was in the majority clean ball and found the Squizzleton’s half backs without a problem, Bolton’s backline spent most of the game watching the ball sale over their heads and to the back three where the cool calm Danny www.random-children-as-friends-for-the-day.com Joseph* dealt with many a pressuring Trafford defence with precision kicking back into the heart of the Trafford 22m zone, however it was the overall handling of some of the Bolton players which stopped what little flow they had in momentum.

With Bolton continuing to pressure the Trafford players into their own mistakes they found themselves with kickable penalties within the attacking half, however conditions were against in the majority of cases as kicker Shane “Ronnie” O’Sullivan converted 1 from 3 attempts into points, Bolton who now had narrowed the gap to nine points but unfortunately not looking like breaking the line in open play.

Excellent darting runs from Chris Sling-le-ton in the second half seemed the only rare chances that Bolton had at breaching the Trafford borders as their upfront defence met Boltons powerful upfront running, Sam “the grey fox” Hilton showing examples of this as the league leaders held back the much improved Bolton team.

As the second half wore on Trafford found themselves with a penalty inside the 22m area which they gladly slotted before scoring a well worked try in which the Bolton defence acted too slow, another conversion to suit showed Bolton the Ricky Lake hand.

For what passion Bolton showed in the game the score line reflected a much different outlook, Trafford MV took their chances and it was good for them that these chances came within the first 5minutes of the game. Bad discipline and a lazy approach to the start of the game cost Bolton dearly as home games are must win at this level.

A visit to Audenshaw next week means Bolton are to play top 3 based Aldwinians in what may prove to be like John Leslie…….another tough affair.

Final Score: Bolton 3 – 20 Trafford MV

Bolton MOTM: Sam “Strapping aint easy” Hilton

Scorers: N/A

Pen: O'Sullivan

Quote of the day: "Bless me father for I have sinned” (M.Singleton, 2010)

** Pete Brogan’s new website is opening this Sunday, please visit for BRUFC discount www.lean-green-wheeeeeeeling-machine.com