Fleetwood started the game kicking off to the Bolton forwards who were immediately put under pressure by a good kick chase from the green and gold forwards. The ballw as gathered by the home side and Bolton were made to defend hard for the next few phases of play until a kick through was dealt with by winger Mike Richardson and cleared up field. Fleetwood continued to attack and were eventually rewarded with a penalty which was kicked to the corner. The lineout which functioned well all day set up the maul and drove over the Bolton try line to open up the scoring. With the conversion missed, the score stood at 5-0.

Bolton aren’t used to conceeding early scores and were even more shocked when the home side carved open the midfield defence several minutes later to go over for their second try, this time the conversion attempt was successful and Fleetwood were 12-0 to the good with Bolton left wondering what had happened.

Fleetwood continued to attack Bolton and were in possesion with a lineout just inside the Bolton half when the goading started. Shouts from a number of Fleet forwards about how Bolton didn’t deserve to be league leaders quietly incencensed the Bolton side. From the lineout a shuddering defensive effort from Ash Cooper, in yet another man of the match performance, turned the ball over providing Bolton’s first opportunity to pepper the Fleetwood defensive line. An infringement at the ruck provided Mark Doherty with a chance for 3 which he duly converted to get Bolton on the score board just before the half time whistle

Half time score 12-5.

Bolton now had 40 minutes to achieve what they should have used the full 80 minutes for and they knew the going would be tough, but losing is not in Bolton’s blood and they were not willing to go down without a fight. From the kick off receive the Bolton forwards marched their way up field ascerting themselves against their green and gold counterparts. Eventually Fleetwood could only slow the Bolton attack by giving away a penalty which Will Bate drilled in to the corner.

The ensuing lineout set up the platform for Bolton but dangerous play from the home teams number 8 saw him leave the pitch for 10 minutes. The subsequent penalty was also kicked to the corner and the catch and drive set up. Bolton’s well drilled maul made easy work of the defense and skipper Chris Cockton was the grateful recipient when they carshed over the line for the first of four tries. On an unsual off day with the boot, Doherty was unable to convert the score and Bolton still trailed 12-8.

Bolton had finally found their feet in the game though and within just a few minutes found themselves on the attack once more. This time the backs were to thank for the score as some slick handling and training ground moves tore apart the Fleetwood defense. Will Bate made good ground from a trademark break and the ball was recycled quickly. Pin point pass from fly-half Singleton to the wing saw Doherty with an easy run in from 20 metres and unchallenged he dotted down under the sticks. Having converted his own try Bolton had finally taken the lead 12-15.

Bolton soon relinquished this lead when a silly penalty was given away just outside the 22, which the Fleetwood kicker had no problem converting.

Once again the Cherry & White’s mounted wave after wave of attack on the home defense and eventually the pressure told. A strong break down the right wing from Richardson could have resulted in a try for Singleton running in support but the final pass couldn’t be found and the winger was brought down. Once again Bolton recycled the ball with speed and saw it travel the width of the pitch to Rhys Pritchard who had come on at half time for Andrew Murtagh. Pritchard still had plenty to do with 30 metres to the line and several defenders chasing him down. Fleet of foot and sheer pace did the trick as Pritchard beat 4 defenders to cross the whitewash and put Bolton 15-20 ahead.

Bolton now had the bonus point in their sights but not long to achieve it, however it proved long enough. A penalty at the breakdown gave Bolton possesion after yet another strong kick off chase, a penalty which should have turned in to a red card for a fleetwood back row player who stood up and punched Louis Critchlow square in the face right in front of the official, who amazingly claimed he saw nothing despite it happening at eye level just 2 feet away from him. The kick was drilled down field and the lineout won, however strong Fleetwood defence managed to turn the ball over but a knock on gave Bolton possession.

From the scrum the Bolton forwards dominated their opposition and drove towards the try line. The Fleetwood scrum disintegrated and Bolton continued to walk towards a bonus point score with Ash Cooper controlling at the back. With no way of stopping the drive the Fleetwood scrum half kicked the ball out of the back causing Cooper to pick up and charge for the line only to be brought back by the referee for a penalty. The visiting support and players were screaming for a penalty try and a yellow card but once again the official bottled what should have been a simple decision. Cockton requested another scrum knowing they had dominance in this area and once again Bolton drove forward. Stronger resistance from the home side slowed the drive and Cooper picked up from the back off loading to Richardson who managed to touch down in the corner and spark jubilation from the Bolton team and side line.

All in all, the result Bolton needed but only a 40 minute performance from the Cherry & White’s. They will need to be on top form this weekend to keep the gap at the top of the table when Tarleton visit Avenue Street.