Two Wins on the Trot for Depleted Bolton

With several teams in the league having already played 3 games, the results forecast even at this early stage, a large pack of close teams look likely to compete for the division this year.

The opposition have always challenged Bolton in previous campaigns, but never has either side really dominated a score line. Today was to be no exception. With no fewer than 4 changes along the back line, Bolton started briskly.

Playing downhill, Old Bedians attacked the Bolton scrumage with gusto for a nervous 15 minute spell early on, and saw it moving in all but the desired direction. This led to a variety of back row moves, but with little fire power outside the front 9, it was easily smothered by the Bolton team.

Winning and playing an expansive lineout game again with Cooper and Ormes working well, Bolton really moved the ball well, but were suffering from bad last second decisions in the contact area, throwing many last balls to ground, or losing it in contact on several occasions Howarth was often asked to ruck alone until the pack joined in.

They were not helped by a plethora of poor decisions by the merry whistle blower who regularly struggled to officiate this area of the game well at all. Pritchard was positionally sound, and offered again options in the attacking line.

It was from a turn over ball in the middle of the park mid way through the first half that Bedians broke away, and scampering to the line , a solid recovery tackle by Keech saw a ruck where again a Bolton Player was penalised. In front of the goals and 10 metres out the kicker hit the cross bar with a mis struck shot at goal, Bolton scampered and touched the ball back in the dead ball area. Winning the scrum against the head, Bolton cleared their lines well. Then Winning the lineout and taking two quick phases, Bolton were awarded a penalty some 40 metres from goal towards the touch line for stamping at the ruck.

A confident decision saw Lovgreen kick the first points of the game. The game rose in intensity but often petered out in the final third of the pitch. The back row of Brogan, Broadie and Sutcliffe again worked relentlessly and were well marshalled by Singleton. Parrish and Cockton were doing much of the rucking work for the side.

A half time score of 3-0.

With a few tactical changes to their game Bolton restarted and dominated the second half, alas the same last pass errors cost them.

Bedians intercepted and ran clear to force their way over in the corner, with the kick again being missed. Fortunately from the restart, Bolton played their key period of the game at the right time. Cooper made some huge hits in the midfield as did the back row again and Bolton played some better rugby.

Lovgreen kicked a tactical game for the third quarter and playing in better territory, the forwards dominated their opposition, but all too regularly too the extra phase on and lost the ball.

Another penalty from 30 metres by Lovgreen, to put the away side narrowly ahead again. Following a crash ball off the lineout Beesley, not known for his crash ball skills broke through and over the Bedians Back row and a phase later, centre Mark Aspinall scored under the posts. Lovgreen converted.

It was a simple and controlled game after that; ball to ten, ball to corner.

Final score 13-5 to Bolton. With a tough journey to Barrow this weekend Bolton look to take on a strong Hawcoat Park side.