Bolton Eye Second Spot!

Tries from Rhys Pritchard, Nick Lever and Mike Richardson sealed the win which keeps Bolton's hopes of finishing second alive.

The opening half hour belonged entirely to the Avenue Street men, who started in determined fashion, as they knew they would have to against their talented opponents. Knowing that points would be hard to come by, Captain Chris Cockton, who led impressively from the front all match, elected for Mark Doherty to convert the early pressure into points, and on two such occasions, Doherty obliged to give Bolton a 6-0 lead after fifteen minutes.

The Cherry and Whites were well into their stride, with Matthew Parrish, Sam Hilton and Mike Richardson taking the game to second placed St Edwards. However, some ill discipline in their 22 did give the home side two opportunities to stay in the match, both were duly taken, and after dominating much of the early play, Bolton finished the first half level at 6-6.

Both sides seemed to move up a gear in the second half, producing more line breaks and sustained periods of pressure. Much of Bolton's best play came through Will Bate, who was a constant threat to the home side with his elusive running and accurate distribution. It was from such play that Bolton scored the opening try of the match. Bate broke from his own 22, beating several defenders, releasing man of the match Richardson on the wing, who drew his man and passed inside to the onrushing Pritchard, who finished a sweeping 80 metre move in style.

St Edwards hit back hard and scored a try of their own after some strong forward carries breached a gap in the Bolton defence for their centre to waltz through. At this point, it seemed Bolton's gallant effort might be thwarted by their Liverpudlian hosts. Bolton weren't to be denied though, and through a mix of immense desire and no little ability, they scored again through scrum half Nick Lever, who rounded off a brilliant team move, where the ball seemed to pass through nearly every player's hands. Bate and Richardson were again pivotal to the try.

It has to be said that even though the three quarters were scoring the tries, much of the platform was being laid by Bolton's front five, who continually pushed their hosts back at scrum time.

After Marcus O'Donohue's sin bin just after the hour mark, it appeared Bolton had allowed their opponents back into the match, but heroic defence prevented Eddies from crossing the whitewash, and the superb victory was completed when Mike Richardson chased his own kick and finished brilliantly in the corner for his first 1st XV try, after some more slick hands and strong running gave him the opportunity.

With such a positive result in the bag, Bolton go into the business end of the season with a genuine chance of overcoming a five point deficit and leapfrogging St Edwards into second place. They continue their course for success at home against struggling Bury next week.