Spirited Bolton Overcome Unbeaten League Leaders

Previous encounters with St Edwards Old Boys had always been tough affairs with Edwards claiming all the victories. So far they had yet to loose a game this season and came to Bolton with the hope of extending their lead at the top of the table.

The match started with Bolton kicking to the visitors and from the off the Bolton pack set the standard with a fantastic chase putting huge pressure on the St Edwards second row. Sterling work at the breakdown and round the fringes from back rows Keech, Parrish and Cooper caused the visitors problems all day long. Unfortunately the first mistake was from Bolton with a knock-on on halfway. From the ensuing scrum the powerful Bolton forwards, driven by the second row teaming of Critchlow and Earle, took charge and turned over the St Edwards scrum. Fly-half Danny Joseph then fed his backline creating fantastic forward momentum for the forwards to play off against a defence that was on the back foot. Several phases later saw the visitors infringe at the break down and a penalty was awarded in front of the sticks. Bolton took a 3-0 lead thanks to stand-in kicker John Keech, a lead that Bolton did not relinquish for the remainder of the match.

A great take by number 8 Matthew Parrish from the restart set a platform from which Bolton could attack through the backs. Centres Flanagan and Regan making hard yards with every run. Once again the St Edwards indiscipline let them down and saw their number 9 sent to the bin for ten minutes. The cherry and whites looked to push home the one man advantage and went for the jugular by kicking to the corner. As ever a solid Bolton lineout set up the maul just 15 metres out and began to drive towards the try line, Edwards then conceded another penalty for collapsing the maul, an infringement that had the Bolton crowd asking for a penalty try and another yellow. Knowing that Bolton had the upper hand in the scrum captain Cockton opted for the scrum five metres out. The Bolton forwards packed down with only one thought on their minds, a tremendous drive saw Edwards crumble and Bolton took the ball over the try line with Number 8 Parrish dropping on the ball to claim the 5. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.

It was then the turn of St Edwards to run the ball at the Bolton defence, with noticeable performances from their back row. The Bolton defence held strong but hands in at the ruck gave Edwards a kicking opportunity which they stuck in the corner. From the line out the Bolton pack was caught out and a strong drive from the visitors saw them go over in the corner for a try, conversion missed.

Half time score 8-5

Bolton came out in the second half knowing they had the opportunity to upset Edwards fantastic start to the season, and with every intention of doing so. Bolton were presented with an early opportunity to add to their score taken once again taken by John Keech. Score 11-5.

St Edwards OB then took their chances and a fantastic drive up field saw the Bolton defence being sucked in before the ball was shipped wide for their winger to go in at the corner. Conversion missed leaving the score at 11-10. Bolton now had no choice but to find another score and look to put the game beyond Edwards with the clock running down.

Bolton received the kick off and set about making their way up field through a combination of forward drives and great back running lines. Yet another penalty conceded by Edwards gave Bolton the opportunity for Bolton to extend their lead, but the kick skewed wide giving Edwards the chance to clear their lines. From a break down on half way quick hard rucking won clean ball for scrum half Waller to feed Joseph, a flat ball into the centre to Cockton created the gap back inside which Cooper exposed to make a good thirty yards for the home side before being dragged down by the last line of defence. Once again superb work at the breakdown saw the ball being shipped wide quickly, a great take from Earle ten metres out was almost halted by Edwards before he was able to offload to ever present prop Sam Hilton to go over the whitewash for his second in two games.

With the clock running dangerously low, Bolton kept the ball in hand through pick and drives from the pack, last play was called and the ball was punted into row Z to end a momentous victory for the Cherry and Whites against the league leaders.

A fantastic effort from each and every member of the squad proved what Bolton are capable of in this league, and this will hopefully set the benchmark for the rest of the season.

MOM – Louis Critchlow.