At least it was a game

Three years ago, Bolton 4s were having, probably, their best season. So too, were Leigh 4s. They met in the final of the Raging Bull Plate and in a well contested game, Leigh came out top, just pipping Bolton 22 - 20. John Kelly, 4th team captain is the sole survivor of that team and has waited longingly for this replay. Alas, it was not to be, as John is currently crocked, and had to be content with shouting from the sidelines.
Leigh elected to go with uncontested scrums from the start, a surprising decision given the size of their pack. Bolton started slowly, and Leigh soon crossed for their first try, 0 - 7.
Followed by an interception, 0 - 12. Not the position Bolton expected to be in. So they bucked up their ideas and started to move the ball around. A good run by jack Crompton took the ball into the Leigh 22m, and Bolton started to pressure the Leigh line. Then as Leigh conceded several penalties, Andy Jolly saw his chance and forced his way over to open the scoring, 5 - 12.
But then poor defensive work allowed Leigh to extend their lead again, 5 - 17.
Half time, and Bolton knew they needed to play the second half with more desire.
A good start and Bolton push the Leigh defence hard and the ball is moved wide, where Eldin Topalovic cruises in to score, 10 - 17.
And again Bolton start to move the ball around, and again make profress into the Leigh 22. A good pick up in midfield, three commit and pass moves and James Dean goes in under the sticks, 17 - 17. Having pulled back the deficit, can we now go on to win ?
Alas no. The game regresses back into the style of the first half and Bolton don't look interested. Leigh use a line out close to the line, drive over to open the gap again, 17 - 22.
And in the dying minutes, a chip and chase from the speedy Leigh winger sees him outpace the Bolton defence, 17- 27.
Not the result John had hoped for.