Having faced Upper Eden only once before in their history, Bolton were keen to keep their 100% record against the Cumbrians intact, however this was to be no easy game, as Upper Eden’s home ground, nicknamed the Graveyard, is one of the toughest places to get an away win in the North Lancs/Cumbria league.

Missing several regular first teamer's, Bolton called on their strength in depth to take the fight to the Upper Eden.

The game started at a frantic pace right from the kick off, with hard hitting from the impressive Gaz Pritchard and Chris Mee. Upper Eden looked to put men into the breakdown wherever possible trying to slow or turnover the ball, however were penalised early on, allowing Mark Doherty to kick the first points for Bolton.

The opening half an hour see-sawed between Upper Eden and Bolton, careless infringements by Bolton allowed Upper Eden to even the scores at 3 – 3, however the game really opened up when James Singleton flaked through a gap on the left wing, and found Louis Critchlow in support, Critchlow managed to offload to Singleton again, who was stopped agonisingly close to the Upper Eden try line. The Bolton pack hammered away at the try line, however were penalised for not releasing inches from the whitewash.

Despite coming away without the points, Upper Eden where again falling foul of not releasing at the Breakdown and once again Bolton called upon the impressive boot of Mark Doherty who whispered the ball between the uprights to put the Cherry and Whites back into the lead 6 – 3.

Upper Eden again drew even with another penalty, leaving the contest finely balanced. The first major breakthrough came just before half time. The Upper Eden ten put a neat little chip over the top of the Bolton defence, a cruel bounce wrong footed full back Doherty and an impressive chase from Upper Eden brought the first try of the game, a conversion right in front of the sticks left the scores at 13 – 6 at half time.

A disappointed but undeterred Bolton side headed to the half time team talk knowing that they were right in the contest. Bolton were told to cut down on the silly penalties and go through the phases. Despite the team talk, Upper Eden drew first blood in the second half. Illegal use of the feet from Dave Ormes presented the Upper Eden 10 with the chance to extended his 100% kicking and the Upper Eden lead, leaving Bolton 16-6 down.

Not dejected Bolton took the fight straight back to Upper Eden, and the impressive Bolton pack spearheaded by Chris Mee, Chris Cockton and replacement prop James Franks continued to heap pressure on the Upper Eden scrum. This pressure eventually yielded a penalty and Mark Doherty stepped up to slot his 3rd penalty from 3 attempts leaving the scores 16 -9.

Another Upper Eden penalty left the scores at 19 – 9 with just 20 minutes left on the clock, Bolton eventually got the ball out wide to their backs who with their first serious move of the game got the ball out to Dave Bruen, who stepped his opposite number to create the space for winger Rhys Pritchard to get Bolton's first try of the game. Mark Doherty maintained his brilliant 100% kicking to bring the game to within one score; 19 – 16.

Bolton buoyed by this try started battering Upper Eden as they looked to get their maul going, Garz Pritchard and Tony McLaughlin put in the hard work repelling each maul and forcing turnovers. When this strategy didn’t work Upper Eden tried to move the ball to the wings as quickly as possible, however a solid drift defence held firm. There was a timeout in the game when Bolton’s over eager defence presented Upper Eden with another penalty opportunity. This moved the game to 22 – 16, leaving Bolton needing another converted try to win with time running out.

A penalty against Upper Eden for again infringing at the breakdown gave Bolton the opportunity to launch another attack from the line out. As the maul was set, Andrew Crimmins fed the ball to his half-back partner James Singleton, who took the ball to the line, and with a lovely delayed pass opened up the defence like a delicious bar of Dairy Milk to feed Dave Bruen who twirled under the posts, a timely boost for Bolton. Mark Doherty’s 5th successive kick from 5 left the scores at 22 – 23 with just 5 minutes remaining.

Bolton's confidence was high and they continued to play at a frantic pace peppering the home team defence in search of a further score to put the game out of contention. A wonderfully timed pass from Dave Ormes sent Gaz Pritchard through the line into open space and just 20 metres to the line but play was called back for a supposed forward pass.

Upper Eden cheered on by their home support came at Bolton with everything in the last 5 minutes. Destructive tackling from the Bolton pack knocked back each wave of attack, until they conceded a penalty with only 3 minutes left. The prayers of the Cherry & Whites could be heard around the ground as the impressive Upper Eden 10 stepped up from 40 metres. Bolton's prayers were answered as he fudged for the first time that afternoon, pulling the ball just to the left of the uprights.

With a 22 drop out and 3 minutes to go, Bolton kicked the ball deep and forced Upper Eden to attack from their own half. Eventually with time running out, and no way through the stubborn Bolton defence, Upper Eden saw an opportunity on their right wing, kicking over the top. This time Mark Doherty was on hand to clear up, and boot the ball into touching, bringing an end to a scintillating game and leaving Bolton victorious at the Graveyard, 22 – 23!

Report by Ben Stubbs