Once again, 1st XV Coach Nick Holmes was forced to change the side that beat Carlisle so comfortably, however the personnel that stepped in all held their own and replacement Spencer Pettitt managed to collect a try in the last minute that could have given Bolton the losing bonus point. Two tries from Mike Richardson and a conversion and penalty from the boot of Mike Mills left Bolton just two short of the additional point.

Vale started the brighter of the two sides, looking to utilise the sizeable pitch with their pace filled backline. Bolton initially managed to hold their own in defence but were soon found out down the left flank with winger Ollie Dobson crossing the line in the corner for the opening score of the game with the Vale fly half adding the extras after just 5 minutes.

This gave Bolton the impetus they needed to fire up and a number of runs from the pack gave James Singleton quick ball at the base of the ruck. Mike Mills was orchestrating his back line from 10 and Nick Smith at 12 was making good ground, ably supported by centre partner Will Bate. Vale’s attempts to turn Bolton over only provided them with a kickable opportunity some 40m out which Mills swiftly despatched taking the score to 7-3.

The Bolton lineout was working well, when not looking to drive, and providing the backs with continued possession. Bolton, however were guilty of forcing the final pass and mistakes crept in. A theme that continued throughout the game for the Cherry & Whites. However Bolton did manage to be the next team on the scoreboard after some hard work from the forwards in the right hand corner. Chris Mee providing the initial drive forward, ably supported by the back row of Ash Cooper, Rick Newman and James Regan. It was winger Mike Richardson that popped up at the bottom of a drive over the line though with his name against the 5 pointer. Mills was successful with the conversion from the touchline. 10-7.

Both sides were now probing their oppositions defences with regularity, but Vale were certainly enjoying the lions’ share of possession, once again due to Bolton errors. It was errors that was going to create the next opportunity with both teams pouncing on any loose ball as an opportunity to counter attack.

Bolton lost the services of Louis Critchlow due to a torn ear causing him to be substituted for Dave Ormes in the second row. The visitors missed the go forward of the ever present second row and didn’t seem to be able to string many phases together before relinquishing the ball. A penalty provided Vale with their next opportunity to score, the ball was punted to the corner and A slick lineout made way for blindside flanker Dan Baines to crash over the line. Charlie Lomas at 10 added the extras and then took the score to 17-10 with a successful penalty kick on the stroke of half time.

Bolton discussed the importance of playing out their game plan with more intent than they had in the first half, picking up their intensity in defence and building pressure against the home team.

Again both sides showed their attacking intent early on with Will Bate breaking countless tackles but without the support on his shoulder the majority of attacks came to nothing. Vale countered well with their number 8 and captain Sam Wallbank making metres at every opportunity and it was Vale who made it onto the scoreboard first with a strong run from winger Rob Lamberton from just inside his own half making the most of a dogged Bolton defensive line. The conversion as once again good and Vale lead 24-10.

Bolton pulled a score back shortly after with Richardson once again the beneficiary. Will Bate created the opportunity but credit must go to Richardson who evaded a number of tacklers and finished well in the corner. Mills unable to add the extras, 24-15.

Bolton still needed two scores to gain the lead but this was made harder when a 5m lineout was driven over by the Vale pack for the bonus point try, with the conversion pushed just wide. But at 29-15 Bolton looked under pressure.

This did not mean that Bolton gave up though and a try with the final play from replacement Spencer Pettitt gave the Cherry & White’s the opportunity to go home with a bonus point, but Mills was unable to add the extras from the touchline.

A frustrating day for Bolton who feel they should have come away with a lot more, but credit must go to Vale who pounced on the opportunities provided to them by Bolton errors.