Bolton Break Their Duck

This was a must win game for Bolton as they had lost the previous two matches in the last seven minutes of each game.

Trafford are a well organised team and their defence is very good with some good runners in their backs, this showed in the opening moments of the game. A mistake by Bolton in the seventh minute enabled Trafford to score a relatively easy try in the corner but the conversion was missed. Bolton replied with some good pressure in Trafford’s 22 metre area and from a line out the Bolton pack caught and drove the ball for about ten metres and Mark Doherty scored the try which Mike Mills converted. The game was dominated by good tackling from both sides for a while. In the thirtieth minute Bolton had a good move going down the right of the pitch but an interception by Trafford gave them their second try in the corner. Bolton forged some good forward play in Trafford’s half of the pitch and were awarded a penalty for their endeavours which Mills converted. Towards the end of the first half, Bolton scored again from some good play by the forwards and Louis Critchlow burst on to the ball and crashed over to score and again Mills converted. The half time score was Trafford 10 Bolton 17.

The second half started with some very strong pressure from Trafford and Bolton’s defence was excellent. Bolton seem not be able to get hold of the ball and when they did, they gave it away by silly penalties or handling errors. Trafford’ fullback scored a good try from a miss kick to touch by Bolton and the conversion was made. Bolton’s final try of the afternoon went virtually the full length of the pitch. James Higgins picked up the ball from a ruck and drew a defender and passed it on to Sam Fogg who in turn drew another defender and put Jonny Stanfield into space and he ran about 40 metres and just before he was tackled, he managed to pass inside to Fogg who had run in support after his own pass. Fogg was tackled just before the line and his momentum took him over for the score. The last seven to ten minutes of the game Bolton were able to control the ball really well and finish out the game as worthy winners.