The lead up to the game hadn’t been the easiest with a number of last minute changes due to injuries and unavailability, eventually, Bolton settled on 18 players to undertake the challenge with Rick Sandbrook and Gareth Evans stepping up to the plate. Bolton travelled without a number of key individuals, but were still confident that the team selected could do the job.

Bolton took the opening kick-off and the Keswick forwards quickly showed their ability with a number of strong carries into the onrushing Bolton pack. Bolton held well and Keswick reverted to their handy looking backs marshalled well by their captain from scrum half. As has been the case in recent weeks, Bolton continued to defend well across the line and Keswick were unable to breach the red and white wall in front of them. Three separate penalty opportunities were all missed by the Keswick kicker in a game that saw not a single ball fly between the posts. A knock on ended Keswick’s possession and the Bolton forwards stepped up to show the home team their strength in the scrum. Bolton remained dominant in the set piece throughout the game against a much smaller pack and this domination gave the backline the platform from which to attack.

For the next 15 minutes, possession was shared without any real threats on the try lines, but eventually Bolton broke the deadlock after a good combination of forward runs and backs moves got them to within 5 metres. From a ruck Louis Critchlow came flying onto the ball from scrum half Andrew Crimmins and the second row crashed over for his 5th try of the season. In the absence of Mark Doherty, the kicking duties fell on Crimmins who was unable to convert the score from out wide.

From the kick off, Bolton regained possession and set about making their way back up the field. Following a Keswick lineout a clash of heads between two Bolton players saw Dave Ormes have to leave the field for blood treatment with Gareth Evans coming into the front row and Simon Frost moving back into the second row. Evans’ experience in the front row only made Keswick’s job harder in the set piece…

Bolton continued to attack utilising their forwards well on the very heavy pitch. Ash Cooper, in the unfamiliar position of number 8 was leading the Bolton charge and constantly breaking the gain line. Eventually the pressure told and from a ruck 15 metres out, Will Bate collected the ball, dived over the players on the floor, side stepped the covering full back and went over for Bolton’s second try of the day. Again Crimmins was unable to convert.

This score woke Keswick up and they returned the ball with a renewed vigour, their offloading in the forwards causing Bolton some problems, but not enough to truly threaten the Cherry & White try line. Keswick managed to break the line a number of occasions, however scramble defence and good cover from Andrew Murtagh at full back was enough to keep the home team at bay. Keswick reverted to a kicking game but the Bolton back 3 were more than up to dealing with the treat, Murtagh ran the ball back on a number of occasions making good ground against the kick chase.

Just before half time, Bolton found themselves with a scrum just 5 metres short and stepped up to drive their opposition back over the line. The push began and Bolton found themselves moving forward with Cooper controlling neatly at the back. Unfortunately, the home team scrum half was able to disrupt the ball and the try scoring opportunity went begging. Bolton continued with another scrum and once again showed their dominance. This time Cooper picked up from the back and crashed over the line for the third try and the last meaningful play of the half.

At the break it was clear to see that the heavy pitch had taken its toll on the forwards with a few heavy breaths around the players… As such Nick Holmes rang the changes bringing Dave Ormes back into the pack for Frost and vice-captain Dave Bruen into the centres for Alex Waddicar following a few weeks out with a groin injury.

At 15-0 up and the try bonus point in their sights, Bolton were targeting a 4th try in order to put the game to bed, but the first 30 minutes of the second half did not go Bolton’s way. Keswick battled for territory and possession throughout and deservedly earned their way up the field, however Bolton impressive defence was not breached once despite some great interplay by the home team. Sam Hilton lead from the front with big tackles going in on the attacking players and Alex Youngman appeared to be at every ruck and breakdown in play, in what was his best performance of the season so far.

Bolton’s lack of possession and over eagerness at the breakdown eventually led to the brandishing of a yellow card to prop Gareth Evans with just 12 minutes left on the clock. With one man down, Keswick continued their onslaught as they searched for a score. And Bolton’s hopes of the bonus point were sliding away. Rick Sandbrook came onto the pitch to offer some fresh legs in the backs and eventually Bolton managed to earn themselves some territory. Slick hands across the park produced a scything run down the wing that involved several Bolton players and put Bolton within 10 metres of the try line. The ball was quickly recycled and crashed into the centre before being flung out wide from James Singleton to Chris Cockton who slipped the would be tackler and put Rhys Pritchard in at the corner to spark jubilation and the last score of the match. The final few minutes petered out without either team making any real head way and the official finally brought proceedings to a close to give Bolton a well-deserved 5 points.

Despite the score line, it has to be said that Keswick played with all the skill and ability that should see them higher up the league rankings. It was a fantastic game, played in the right spirit throughout and the hospitality received post match was fantastic. We look forward to the return fixture in the new year.

Ash Cooper was voted as man of the match.