Bolton 25-0 Upper Eden

Bolton started the match in fine style dominating all aspects of play and this pressure gave them two early penalties which Joe Speakman converted to provide an early lead of 6-0. Bolton’s dominance in the scrum was very impressive throughout the match and perhaps they deserved to receive more penalties in this area.

Upper Eden‘s defence was well organised and made Bolton work hard for advantage. Bolton did have one or two chances to increase their lead but unfortunately unforced errors gave the ball away.

Half time score Bolton 6 Upper Eden 0.

The second half started with both defences tackling very well and both sides making errors. In the forty-ninth minute Joe Speakman broke the deadlock and conjured up a magical grubber kick-through behind the defence enabling Keiran Shacklock to score the first try of the afternoon that Speakman duly converted.

The game for both sides was marred by yellow cards and at one stage in the second half Bolton were down to twelve players. This seemed to spur Bolton on to play their best rugby of the afternoon. In the seventy-third minute Bolton had a lineout close to Upper Eden’s line. Bolton caught the ball beautifully and set a strong driving maul which led to Nick Duncan scoring.

The final try of the afternoon, with still having fourteen players, was a gem. Bolton won the lineout and played three phases across the pitch with great quick ball from each ruck. They then came back the other way and quick ball from the forwards gave James Singleton the chance to pass a beautiful inside ball to Naill Murphy to score. Speakman completed the afternoon with the conversion.
All in all a good performance and Bolton deserved the win at the end.

MOM - James Singleton.

Over the Christmas break Rhys Pritchard and Louis Critchlow played representative rugby for the newly formed Lancashire Royals. While Ash Cooper and Tony McLaughlin played for the Anti-Assassins. Well done to all four players.