Bolton Pinch Victory in Last Play!

The home side started tentatively, which was understandable due to their losing start to the season and the appalling weather conditions. Garstang were however doing a good job of spoiling Bolton’s preferred quick rucking game. As a result, Bolton found themselves in a forward arm wrestle, which meant there was little in terms of any meaningful attack in the first half, although Matthew Parrish, James Brodie and Louis Critchlow defending stoutly in the pack.

It was still scoreless at the half time whistle, with Bolton knowing they had to get quick ball to release their quicker backs. Rhys Pritchard was a constant threat with good running lines, but it was Garstang who opened the scoring with a controversial try and Bolton went behind 7-0.

The Garstang try seemed to knock Bolton’s confidence and soon after, Garstang extended their lead to 10-0 with a penalty. That was to be Garstang’s last meaningful attack though, as Bolton surged back into the match.

The comeback was started by substitute fly-half Tom Price, who slotted three crucial penalties to put Bolton within one point. As the clock ticked down, scrum half Mike Singleton, flanker John Keech and winger James Howarth all caused problems for Garstang, but Bolton couldn’t find a way through.

Just as the referee had called ‘last play’, it appeared that Bolton would be subject to their third league defeat in as many games, until full-back Danny Joseph picked up a loose ball 30 meters from the Garstang try line and evaded the tired Garstang defence and dive in to seal a dramatic victory.

Such a morale boosting victory is just what Bolton needed to kick start their season. The resurgence continues next week at home to Tarleton.