Bolton enjoyed dominance in the set piece but found no reward, in fact the only score of the game came from a charge down by Rhys Pritchard on the visiting sides 5m line that sat up nicely to dot down.

Tarleton visited Avenue Street intent on upsetting the applecart and avenging the 31-14 score that Bolton posted on them just 6 short weeks ago, however Bolton had very different ideas. The home side were still stinging from the two losses last season including the away fixture that was the only dent in Bolton’s almost perfect run in from game 5 to the play-offs, along with the knowledge that a loss could see them slip a place or two, the Cherry & White’s went in to the game expecting nothing other than a win.

Bolton kicked off in near perfect conditions and a strong chase put the Tarleton forwards under pressure, but the visitors saw off the early exchanges and retained possession. Almost immediately they put the ball wide through their young backline and attacked the home defence. Bolton held strong in the opening 10 minutes and maintained their discipline for the majority while they didn’t have the ball. Eventually the pressure told and Tarleton indicated for the posts but were unable to convert.

Will Bate drilled the 22m drop-out deep into Tarleton territory and another strong chase earned them possession at the breakdown thanks to the sterling work of back rows Gaz Pritchard, Ash Cooper and James Brodie. Bolton started to exert the pressure through a series of strong forward carries from Chris Mee and Tony McLaughlin interspersed with slick handling from the backs. James Singleton in arguably his best performance of the season so far, was causing his opposite number all sorts of trouble and utilising the strength and speed of his backline to great effect. Bolton continued to make ground but were eventually undone by small errors, a consistent theme that saw a great number of scrums called throughout the game.

Prop Sam Hilton was utilising his experience in the front row and making mincemeat of the Tarleton scrum who backpedalled at a rapid rate of knots, saved only by their outstanding number 8 Will Fell, who was able to collect the ball and make hard yards up field on countless number of occasions. The clearance kick from Tarleton did nothing to relieve the pressure as Bolton’s lineout was functioning well and providing front-foot ball for scrum half Andrew Crimmins. Once again the backs hit the line hard, first through the sizeable figure of vice-captain Dave Bruen followed by the quick feet of Will Bate and ably supported by the back three of Richardson, Pritchard and Doherty.

Despite the continual pressure, Bolton weren’t able to find the scoring pass and eventually Tarleton managed to turn over the ball 5m from their own line. Rhys Pritchard was alert to what the Tarleton number 9 had planned and charged down the attempted box kick. The ball sat up nicely for Pritchard to drop on underneath the posts. Doherty stepped up to add the extras and Bolton were finally on the scoreboard.

Bolton continued to attack and soon found themselves within a few metres of the whitewash once more. The attacking opportunity disappeared though when the referee decided he had seen a forward pass from captain Chris Cockton. However, with the pressure they were under in the set piece, Tarleton would have probably preferred for play to continue. Not wanting to waste field position Bolton turned the screw in the scrum but were penalised for wheeling and Tarleton had a chance to clear their lines.

From the lineout Tarleton set up a strong platform and the ball went out to the backs once more. The combined efforts of Bruen, Bate and Cooper managed to secure a penalty in midfield which Bate stepped up to drill into the corner giving Bolton the put in 5m out. A perfect take from Louis Critchlow set up the drive with Cockton on the ball at the tail, however, once again the official found something to penalise and Tarleton relieved the pressure.

The second half petered out over the final few minutes with both teams testing each other out but with no try scoring opportunities to be had.

Half time 7-0

Despite the score line not changing, the second half produced some of the best rugby with Bolton, once again on top throughout. The Avenue Street men soon found themselves within striking distance of the Tarleton line and a deft chip towards the corner from Bate was only just dropped over the line by the onrushing Pritchard.

Once again Tarleton had the put in to the scrum and yet again Bolton exerted their dominance driving the visitors backwards. The ball was passed back over the try line for the fly half to clear but Singleton pressured his opposite number in to touching down for a Bolton put in just 5m out. Tarleton managed to hold the Bolton scrum so James Brodie took the option to pick and go. Two phases later Louis Critchlow charged over the line and was at the bottom of a pile of bodies but the referee felt he could not award the try. From the ensuing scrum Bolton attacked through their backs but were pushed back by a determined Tarleton defensive effort. Over eagerness gave Bolton a penalty opportunity and Bate kicked for the corner. A strong maul was set up with Cockton at the back once more and the drive towards the line started. Again Bolton found themselves across the line but were once again denied by the official despite a clear grounding of the ball.

This did nothing to relieve the pressure on the Tarleton line as Bolton continued to attack. Tarleton, to their credit, did not give up and when opportunities presented themselves they attacked with vigour and made good ground up the field. One point in the match threatened to change the score when a Bolton knock on fell into the arms of a Tarleton player who moved it wide but the referee brought play back for the scrum. Whilst there was still 60m to go, the field was open and Tarleton would have backed themselves to at least make the most of it. Instead they ended up with the put in to another scrum which they, likely, would prefer not to have.

With ball in hand Bolton looked dangerous and Singleton epitomised that continually finding pin point passes and breaking the first tackle. One such tackle break provided the opportunity to off load to Cockton but a fingertip effort was not enough to clutch on to the ball and crash over the line.

The remaining minutes drifted away and Tarleton will have been happy to walk off the pitch with a losing bonus point in their pocket. Bolton can’t be disappointed with a win and were even more elated when they discovered that Hawcoat Park had managed to hold off Aspatria giving Bolton a 6 point lead at the top. The home side created a number of chances and will need to continue in this vein when the travel to Audenshaw next Saturday to take on Aldwinians.