Bolton were handed the disappointing news on Thursday evening that vice-captain Dave Bruen would be unable to take part in the game due to a groin strain picked up in the game at home to Littleborough. Therefore, Alex Waddicar moved into his spot at 12 from the bench and Ryan Wignall was recalled to the substitutes list. Despite this set back, Bolton were still confident that they could earn a victory to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

The game kicked off with Bolton playing towards the clubhouse. Despite a good chase from the forwards pack, Winnie’s
Managed to put in a fantastic clearance kick from within their own 10m line into touch inside the Bolton 22. From the ensuing lineout, Bolton secured the ball through the returning James Brodie and were able to clear their lines through a combination of forward drives and slick handling from the backs. The opening 10 minutes went by without too much to talk about but it was obvious that Bolton’s physicality was dominating the contact area with every Aldwinians attack being nullified without a threat of them breaking the line.

A penalty opportunity presented itself to Bolton on the half way line and full back Mark Doherty stepped up to kick for touch and for the Bolton lineout. Once again, the ball was secured and the driving maul set up. Good defence from the Winnie’s forwards kept Bolton at bay for a short time, but eventually the pressure told and man of the match Ash Cooper barged over from close range to open the scoring. Doherty was unable to add the extra’s but Bolton walked back for the restart confident that their forwards could get them within scoring distance once more.

This confidence was warranted soon after, as slick handling between forwards and backs saw Gaz Pritchard break the line with only the full back to beat and with Bate and Brodie in support. A good scramble from Winnie’s managed to stop Pritchard getting the ball away and despite quick recycling the threat was soon stopped by the visitors who were resorting to use of the boot to relieve the pressure. However, this only brought more as the back 3 of Doherty, Mike Richardson and Rhys Pritchard were returning the ball with interest each time.

In actual fact, the next score came from a trademark Will Bate break following a steal against the head at scrum time. Bate carved up the opposition and left tacklers in his wake as he dived over the whitewash for the second score of the game to the cheers of a noisy side line. Once again, Doherty missed the conversion and the score remained at 10-0 to Bolton.

From the restart, Brodie took the ball forward beating the first defender and getting Bolton onto the front foot once more. A number of forward carries from the likes of Chris Mee and Tony McLaughlin kept the pressure on the visitors defence before fly half Singleton released his backs. In an improved performance, Waddicar broke the gain line opening up the defensive line and providing good ball for the backs to attack once more. Great hands from the backs gave winger Richardson chance to stretch his legs in a powering run down the touchline but he was bundled into touch inside the visitors 22. Bolton continued to apply pressure to the Winnie’s forwards who had already made changes in attempt to stem Bolton’s dominance in this area, but to no avail. The pressure told and eventually Bolton earned a penalty 5 m out from the try line. With the try bonus point in his sights, captain Chris Cockton indicated for the scrum and so began a long series of scrum restarts, re-sets and further penalties to which Bolton continually requested the scrum. This passage of play had most spectators screaming for yellow as the Winnie’s tighthead was unable to handle the pressure being exerted upon him. The referee was not being swayed by the crowd but awarded Bolton yet another penalty. This time, Bolton opted for the three points which Doherty stepped up to convert.

Just a few minutes later, Bolton found themselves camped in the Aldwinians 22 again and thanks to an offside decision from the referee were able to take a further 3 points with the last play of the half to take the score to 16-0.

At half time the message was for more of the same. It was obvious that Bolton had the upper hand across the park and they had to use this as they hunted for the try bonus point. Winnie’s would come back hard and it was important for Bolton not to let their lead slip.

As Bolton set up to receive the kick, the expected rain that had held off so far appeared, bringing with it another factor that Bolton would have to contend with for the next 40 minutes. Despite this, Bolton once again found themselves with a kickable opportunity, which once converted by Doherty would leave Aldwinians needing at least 3 converted tries to take the lead. With this in mind, Cockton pointed at the posts and Doherty obliged.

Credit must be handed to Winnie’s who came back at Bolton with a renewed vigour, led by their vocal player coach. Around 60 minutes in, Bolton found themselves camped on their own try line and following a number of discrepancies at the ruck area eventually lost Singleton to the sin bin for a high tackle. With 3 points no good, Winnie’s kept trying tap penalties but Bolton’s defence was impeccable despite being down to 14. Winnie’s lack of imagination in attack was eventually their downfall as yet another crash runner was stopped dead by a thundering tackle from Tony McLaughlin, forcing the knock on from which Bolton earned the scrum. Bolton took this opportunity to replenish their backline following Singleton’s departure with Wignall coming on and Brodie being sacrificed. Simon Frost also came on to add some fresh legs into the pack for Tony McLaughlin who took a well-earned rest.

Singleton re-joined the backs on 70 minutes as did Brodie for Mike Richardson who had spent the last few minutes playing in the forwards pack, including a cameo jumping in the lineout. McLaughlin re-entered a few minutes later for Chris Mee and Frost moved up into the front row.

Following their defensive effort Bolton were able to launch a further attack as they still searched for a 3rd try, one such attack put Bolton into the Winnie’s half but stern defence turned the ball over and provided them with an opportunity to counter the Cherry & White’s. The pass from the bottom of the ruck was knocked on by the Winnie’s half giving Bolton the put in at the scrum and with the referee calling last play Bolton had secured another victory and maintained their home record. Unfortunately, a slip from Frost in the front row turned the ball over and Winnies launched an attack down the flanks despite a losing bonus point being beyond them.

Once again, strong defence from Bolton caused another knock on and with it the final whistle.

Bolton can be proud of their performance and in particular their defensive efforts throughout the game. This level of physicality will be required when they travel to Blackburn and attempt to defend their league position.