DESTINATION ACAPULCO - POSITIVE START FOR THE 2NDS

The opening exchanges were all played in the Bolton half, a lack of control with ball in hand and a habit of trying to go sideways before we went forward led to Bolton being repeatedly turned over and putting themselves under pressure. This pressure would eventually tell when Leigh opened the scoring after 20 minutes moving the ball well to score out wide, conversion missed.

Some choice words from Dave Crouch under the sticks led to a change in game plan and how Bolton would play the rest of the game. From the restart there was more intensity at the breakdown with strong carries from Parrish and Jolly getting over the game line and the ever busy Sandbrook and Charnock securing the ball at the breakdown.

More opportunity with ball in hand led to a half break from Sackfield with Joe Smith then going close to scoring from a set play. With the half drawing to a close, good work from Chappelhow at the lineout led to a maul getting inches from the Leigh line, a couple of phases later and Tailor spotted an opening to pick and drive to power over and score Bolton’s first try of the game and season. Jolly converted enabling Bolton to take a 7-5 lead into halftime.

The 2nd half started better for Bolton with the forwards getting onto the front foot and securing good ball, this was providing space for the backs with Harrison and both Smiths looking dangerous. Possession and territory would eventually tell and after 55 minutes and some good phase play no 8 Jolly received the ball 10 metres out, spotted an opportunity out wide and carried 2 Leigh defenders over the line to ground the ball, sadly Jolly could not convert his own try.

Bolton now 12-5 up were looking to put the game to bed but while struggling with territory and possession Leigh always looked dangerous on the break. Full back Devlin was kicking well out of hand keeping Leigh pinned back and several chances came for Bolton to put the game away, but these couldn’t be converted credit to the defensive stint by all the Leigh players.

With a controlled set piece and excellent work from the forwards, Bolton were able to see the game out and with most of the territory and possession were the deserved winners.
Leigh proved a tough opponent to start the season and we look forward to the return fixture later in the year. A scrappy performance but pleasing to start the season with a win. The man of the match was Andrew Jolly who’s hard running and key offloads caught the eye.

No game for the 2s this weekend, we next host Aspull 2s at Avenue St on the 18th September.

Match Report by Gaz Hessian