Bolton Beaten by Strong Fleetwood Team

Bolton were hoping to improve drastically on the previous week in which they lost to Uper Eden at home.

Selected in the side this week was more experience, Hilton and Knibb added extra calmness to a pack that got too easily excited the previous week and didnt manage to control the tempo of the game. The game however didnt start brilliantly for Bolton as FW scored directly off the Bolton kick-off, although the ball was caught amongst the FW forwards it was quickly distributed to theyre much quicker backs and sprinted over the try-line from 50m to open the scoring. Behind the posts the Bolton players realised they were in a game and to everyones credit the slackness stopped and Bolton started to play a much tighter controlled game in the majority of areas around the pitch.

With Bolton now controlling the tempo, scrum half Robert Terry linked up brilliantly between the backs and forwards who exchanged roles and kept the ball tight and within a 20-25m channel. Mid way through the 1st half Terry gave the ball to Chris Turner who tricked the FW players with a dummy before running 25m to score over the FW whitewash, Barlow converted and the game became alot closer. FW struggled to get a complete hold of the 1st half as Bolton completely dominated the scrums & line-outs and scrapped for every ball at the breakdown, Alan Catterall and Sandy no.1 creating havok for FW who could only complain to the referee. The hard work for Bolton created few real breaks as whenever FW managed to get the ball they quickly spreaded it wide and capitalised on slack defending by some of the Bolton players.

The score at half time (estimation): FW 2's 19 - 7 Bolton 2's

The second half seemed typical of the 1st, Bolton's pack controlled the game in the tight but struggled to move forward enough to worry a very good FW side. Fleetwood scored several more tries in the second half and did so everytime they moved the ball wide quickly. The highlights in the second half for BRUFC was that they played with the intent to slow FW down and frustrate them, on a much wetter / muddier day this would have worked but the dryness of the pitch added fuel to the FW fire who had several players of great running ability. Robert Terry scored an opportunistic try after good work again from the Bolton pack, this showed there was still heart and drive amongst the team as Terry noticed a 2" gap and darted beneath the frailing tackles to score, Barlow missed the conversion.

As the 2nd half wore on it was clear that FW had the game wrapped up however Bolton never gave in and peppered the FW defensive line with move after move, Marriott ran excellent lines and against a weaker defence would have made better ground. Boltons third try came mid way through the 2nd half as FW tried one pass too many and new Bolton winger Lee Wogan intercepted to run 45m to score near the the FW posts, he then kicked his own conversion.

The Bolton players stuck at the job but failed to score any further points as FW were just too strong, especially at home. A highlight of the 2nd half happened when the Bolton forwards marched a rolling maul 30m down the pitch with FW trying everything in theyre mind to stop it, this scene summed the game up....Boltons forward pack were too strong for FW but FW's backs were too quick and aggressive for an off form Bolton backline.

There were more positives than negatives to take away from the Fleetwood fixture, against the current best team in the league the tight game of Bolton didnt suit FW and for a short period they were rattled, frustrated and annoyed. The Bolton players know they must work on several aspects of their game for next week against Thornton Cleveleys at home.

Bolton MOTM: Sam Hilton

Final Score: Fleetwood 2nd XV 59 - 19 Bolton 2nd XV