Bolton 1st XV vs. Aldwinians Match Report

...which has seen the team fall down the table after being one of the early pace setters. Bolton set their stall out early with an offensive touch which has been missing in recent weeks as the new centre pairing of Regan and Rees made inroads into the Aldwinians back line from which Aldwinians conceded a penalty converted by the confident Rhys Pritchard.

Ably supported by their back row partners Brogan, Smith and Keech the Bolton back line reset for another assault on the Aldwinians defence however it was Aldwinians who were next to show the strength of their pack as a number of attritional drives led to them crossing the line for five points converted by their fly half. It was at this point that Bolton would have previously folded in previous seasons however the young Bolton team mounted a stout defence of their line and even when reduced to 14 players due to a dubious sin binning they held out resolutely to finish the half with only a four points deficit.

Bolton remained under no illusions as to the mountain they would have to climb and Aldwinians came out firing in the 2nd half determined to prove their pedigree however Bolton again held firm with sound tackling around the rucks and mauls however a number of silly penalties including back chat to the ref led to Aldwinians establishing a foothold in the Bolton half from which they rapidly went wide to find their fleet footed winger who crossed in rapid succession for two scores.

Bolton managed to manufacture a number of opportunities but as a team they still lack the ruthlessness to finish off promising moves and breaks. This will surely only come with age. To further tries, one a debatable close quarters roll over from a maul left Bolton facing a harsh score line but on this showing the team illustrated just how close they could be to making a huge breakthrough in the 2011 / 2012 season.