Fortress Avenue Street Unbreached...

Bolton finally secured 2 years unbeaten on home soil with a well earned victory over opponents Carlisle. Tries from Will Bate, Gaz Pritchard, Liam Ray and James Brodie along with 11 points from the boot of Mike Mills was enough to claim the full 5 points on offer to the Cherry & Whites.
Bolton took to the field with the words of their captain still ringing in their ears. They knew they had to hit the ground running against a team that had chalked up some impressive wins so far this season after an indifferent campaign in 2012/2013 that only just saw them survive thanks to a post-Christmas comeback.

Man of the Match Will Bate played his first ever game for Bolton 1st XV in the last home game that the side lost, so it was fitting that two years on he was the man to open the scoring in the first few minutes. Bolton’s pack stemmed the flow of Carlisle’s attacks and had soon managed to turn the ball over allowing for a flowing counter attack move to be set up. Fly half Mills found Bate via inside centre Nick Smith who took off on one his arching runs. Bate returned the ball to Mills who made space and put Bate in for the first 5 pointer of the day. Mills was on hand to add the extras and Carlisle looked shocked at Bolton’s quick start.

Neither team managed to get a real grip of the game in the first half despite the official allowing for a flowing game of rugby to be played. Good attacks from both sides were met with resolute defences with most major threats being snuffed out. Bolton could take solace in the fact that their pack was starting to get on top in the scrum and in open play. Carlisle were failing to break the line close to the breakdown and reverted to using their 10 to try and create opportunities. He caused Bolton some real problems, but the back row of Ash Cooper, James Brodie and Gaz Pritchard seemed to be on hand to avert any danger.

Rhys Pritchard, slotting in at full back in the absence of Mark Doherty, was enjoying the possession that was being handed to him by some poor Carlisle kicking. He was making the most of the space in front of him and constantly getting Bolton on the front foot, ably supported by his wingers Mike Richardson and Liam Ray. James Singleton was also enjoying a great performance and marshalling his forwards expertly from 9.

The remainder of the half flittered away with the majority of play happening in the middle 3rd of the field. Carlisle’s lineout was giving the backs an excellent platform, but Bolton’s’ backline defence was more than up to the task. The visitors only opportunity at points came just before half time when a kick was knocked on by Pritchard into the open arms of Ben Stubbs on his first start of the season. The penalty for offside was awarded, but the Carlisle kicker was unable to open his account.

Half time soon landed and Bolton went into the huddle wondering where the half had gone after their quick start. Captain Chris Cockton told the side that it was imperative that they picked up the pace and ensured they were first on the scoreboard if they wanted to take home the win. It seems the side listened and Cockton led by example providing the passes for the next two tries.

Louis Critchlow was claiming everything thrown his way in the lineout and allowing Singleton quick call to bring in his back line. Nick Smith was enjoying front-foot ball at 12 and regularly breaking the gainline to keep the pressure on the visitors. One such break took Bolton to within 10 metres of the try line and a break around the side of the ruck from Cockton was only halted by a last ditch tackle from the Carlisle scrum half, however Gaz Pritchard was on the shoulder of his skipper to collect the offload and waltz in under the posts for possibly his easiest score in Bolton colours. Mills added the extras and at 14-0 Bolton felt a little more comfortable.

Bolton soon added to their lead through the boot of Mills following an infringement at the breakdown by the away team. 17-0.

Carlisle then hit back at Bolton with a try of their own. Strong running from their forwards got them within striking distance of the try line and Bolton gave away a penalty for offside that could have seen Ash Cooper see 10 in the bin, but with it being the first offence from the side in what was a very clean game the official didn’t show a yellow. The visitors used this field position and eventually the substitute back row barged over from close range. Again their kicker was off target and the score remained at 17-5.

Bolton knew the job was far from over and with Sam Hilton on in the front row for Stubbs and Nick Sandbrook into the back row with Brodie moving to lock for Louis Critchlow who had suffered a dead leg, they looked to use their fresh legs to their advantage.

The backs enjoyed themselves all day with Bate consistently making ground down the field. Off the top ball from the tail of the line was fed along the backs to Bate who first made ground and then offloaded to Richardson coming in off his wing. With Carlisle on the back foot, the ball was quickly whipped back across the pitch to Cockton, who found Rhys Pritchard in a gap. Pritchard made ground and offloaded back to Cockton to aimed for the gap between two defenders and managed to break his arms free to lay the ball off for left winger Liam Ray to coast in for his 4th try in 4 appearances. Mills added the extras and with just 5 minutes on the clock, Bolton were in the hunt for the 4th try and the additional point, buoyed on by a vocal home crowd.

The team responded well and a hard line from Smith down the right touchline made good yards for Bolton, he was supported by Bate and Richardson who all linked up well, the final pass was floated back in field and collected by number 8 James Brodie to run in for the games’ final score. Mills once again added the conversion and the official called full time at 31-5.

A great second half performance from the team who look to have gotten over last weeks’ disappointment at Kendal. Still much more work to do, but the side are starting to show the fluidity that earned them two successive promotions. Next week, another big test as the 1sts travel to Vale of Lune for the first meeting between the two sides in a long time.