Bolton 4th XV Take Win From Hoppers

Alas the car journey proved too much for Sam “shandy drinker” Chinn who had to ask his driver to stop whilst he studied the pavement, looking for pizzas. Finally arriving at Preston, he took the opportunity to lie down on the grass beside the carpark to top up his tan, whilst moaning something about “worst hangover........"

The game started at a cracking pace and in the first few minutes, as Bolton pressed on to the Preston line, captain Keith Howie picked up from the back of the scrum, beat his man and crossed to score. The conversion was missed.

Straight from the restart Bolton took the game straight back to the Preston 22, where once again, the constant Bolton pressure told and centre Jack “laid back” Dickinson rounded his man to put 5 more points on the board. Howie added the conversion.

Under the relentless Bolton pressure, Preston were in all sorts of trouble and soon conceded a penalty which Howie put between the posts. 15 minutes gone, Bolton lead 15 – nil.

As Bolton took their foot off the gas, Preston realised they need to get back into the game, and quickly. However great tackling by the Bolton backrow snuffed out much of their plans. When they did make their break-thru they used their 2 main strike runners to good effect and worked their way down the pitch to add a converted try of their own. From the restart Bolton upped their game again, this time allowing first-timer Liam “andrew“ Patient to carve his way thru the Preston defence to score under the sticks. Howie added the extras. Patient, one of Bolton u19 colts players, having his first run out in the Senior teams made an impressive debut, even playing out of position for 60 minutes.

At the half time break, much water was taken on board, especially by Chinn, who hadn’t even played yet. Captain Howie took to the sidelines having received a kick in the back from his own player (no names, no packdrill, but it was Victor).

After the restart Bolton carried on in much the same vein as the first. Take our game to the opposition & tackle everything that runs at you. Most of the half was spent in the Preston half and it was only time before another try came. As the backs moved the ball wide, Patient beat his own man, then committed the fullback before passing back inside to the supporting James “terminator” Foey, another u19 player making his debut. Foey raced the last 22m to touch down under the sticks, replacement scrum-half Tom “minesweeper“ Davis adding the extras.

Despite the soaring temperature, Bolton still pushed for more points. And once again it was “Man of the Match” Foey who crossed the line for his second try.

Another good all round team performance, with the old heads of Cruice, Kelly and Walton ably supported by the young legs of Cormican, Higgins and Long.