Bolton 18-18 Fleetwood

The fog lifted at the Avenue just in time for the final game of 2016 against Fleetwood.

Bolton played some very good rugby in the first twenty minutes of the game and dominated the possession and this caused Fleetwood to concede a penalty for off side in the opening minutes of the game. Mark Doherty converted the penalty. Bolton were putting pressure on Fleetwood and in the twenty third minute, this pressure led to a mistake and Joe Speakman kicked the ball through and followed it up to score a try and Doherty added the conversion. Fleetwood were jolted into action and began to play some good rugby and retained the ball very well, something which Bolton were not able to do. Bolton gave away two penalties which Fleetwood’s No 8 converted. The game at this stage was mainly played between the two 22 metre areas. A Bolton player was ‘yellow’ carded and Fleetwood capitalised on this and scored try just before half time, so led 13-10.

In the second half Fleetwood were on the offensive and worked well to score a try to increase their lead top 18-10. In the fortieth minute Fleetwood gave away a penalty for holding on to the ball which Doherty converted. Bolton started to come back in to the game and put pressure on Fleetwood again. Bolton scored a great try from quick ruck ball: James Singleton ran across the pitch and made a superb inside pass to Louis Critchlow who smashed over for the try. The scores were now level at 18-18 and in the last thirteen minutes both sides had opportunities to win the match. Bolton had one or two clear chances but were denied by poor skills and towards the end of the game Fleetwood had a penalty that they failed to convert.

All in all it was a well contested game and eighteen, eighteen draw was about a fair result.