A loss, but an important bonus point

Bolton 1st XV travelled to league leaders Birkenhead Park with a much changed side to the week before when they had suffered defeat at the hands of local rivals Eccles.

Captain Chris Cockton left the players in no doubt that the previous weeks display was unacceptable and in short shift told his players the same.

Birkenhead Park have enjoyed a strong run of league which has seen them rise to the top of the league and they were to prove a very stern test for a Bolton team that remains a little short on luck and still believes that if they can find some form they can prove their mettle in this league.

Bolton started very brightly with the backs looking particularly dangerous. Both Spencer Pettit and Rhys Pritchard made telling breaks in the middle of the park with both Nick Smith and Mark Doherty producing some good passing play.

Unfortunately Bolton could not quite capitalise with the ball in hand and Birkenhead Park started to take a firm grip on the game with some straight running from their backs and some fantastic recycling play leading to two quick tries. This was then followed by a set piece rolling maul leading to their third score, all of which were converted by the Birkenhead Park kicker who had an exceptional day with the boot.

Bolton were staring down the barrel of what could have been a large defeat, 21 - 0 with only 20 mins gone and the game already seemed to be slipping away. Bolton were struggling with the scrum under pressure and this in turn meant that the backs were struggling to get any continuity in the game despite looking dangerous.

But this Bolton side is built on a firm foundation of pride and grit throughout the side and off one scrum ball Doherty managed to conjure a mercurial short ball to a galloping Rhys Pritchards who deftly swerved and stepped two defenders to score a classy try under the sticks which Doherty gratefully converted.

Sensing their was something in this game Bolton started to play with a lot more confidence. With Doherty settling into fly half Bolton began to get some decent ball to Johnny Stanfield on the wing who had a rock solid game all day in his debut season with the cherry and whites. On the other wing Spencer Pettit was acquitting himself well with some great defence around the park.

But despite their best efforts it would be Birkenhead Park who breached the Bolton line again after some lack lustre defence led to them crossing for another converted try before the half time whistle.

Although under the cosh Bolton knew that they could target at least one bonus point out of this game if they could push themselves a little harder in the open play. Both Coach Holmes and Skipper Cockton reinforced the positives of the first half but were under no illusions that the second half would be just as tough.

Bolton again started brightly but Birkenhead used their devastating rolling maul to good effect to walk the ball over the line from a well orchestrated line out. The maul was used to good effect by the home team throughout the game and would eventually lead to them benefiting to the tune of four tries as Bolton had no answer to it.

But this score seemed to sting Bolton into life. From the kick off Johnny Stansfield chased the kick and made the tackle, Bolton won a penalty for holding on and Cockton's orders were to go for the corner.

A successful line out with Louis Critchlow taking the ball led to Crimmins firing a quick pass to fly half Doherty who stepped the onrushing defence to crash through the full back for a well deserved try which he then converted.

This score began to generate some momentum and from the kick off a well taken catch from John Stryker, having his best game in a 1st XV shirt for some time put Bolton on the front foot. Again another penalty conceded by Birkenhead Park was punted to the corner where good line out ball led to Doherty releasing Nick Smith to crash over under the posts for the third score of the afternoon.

Bolton were now flying high and a tremendous running take from Gaz Pritchard pushed Bolton forward in search of the 4th try which would grant them a very hard earned bonus point. A chip to the corner seemed to have lost the opportunity when the Birkenhead full back seemed to have time to clear the ball, as he kicked it was charged down by Johnny Stanfield on the wing and the gathered up the bouncing ball to open his account for Bolton RUFC.

Bolton knew that the job was done in terms of the bonus point and with 10 mins remaining they were unlucky to conceded a push over try at a defensive scrum and a further try from another well organised rolling maul to leave them on the wrong end of the score line.

With all things considered Bolton will be pleased to pick up a bonus point which may prove vital in their battle for survival in this tough league, and with other relegation rivals suffering defeats the bonus point may prove even more valuable in the following months.

There were some great performances from youngsters Jack Robinson, Spencer Pettit and "veteran" youngsters Andrew Crimmins and the Pritchard brothers. This was one of the youngest 1st XV's to ever take to the field for Bolton RUFC and can only bode well for the future of the club. Special mention must also go to club Senior Chairman JP Hardman who stepped up from the 3rd XV to take the field for the 1st XV for the first time since March 2013 and following his recent get fit regime, made a fantastic account of himself to shore up the front row against a sizeable home side pack.

The continuing presence of Vice Captain Ashley Cooper and established forward Louis Critchlow, both of whom had superb games gives a solid stability to the forward pack which can be built on and with with players waiting in the wings to return from injury Bolton will be targeting the next 3 games against opposition who are lower in the table to try and pick up some points to push them further away from the relegation zone.