Preston Grasshoppers 6th 29 Bolton 4th 26

Preston made all the early running as their experienced players moved the ball around the park sometimes with a pace that belied their cumulative years and their opening score rocked the Bolton team. A further attempt was only stopped by some brave tackling by the smaller Bolton backs. From Bolton's aggressive tackling in their own 22, the ball was eventually turned over, and as captain Keith Howie threw the ball wide to Mark Docherty, he sped off up the field sucking the Preston defenders in. Then he released the ball to winger Jamie Cairns, who set off down the wing, around two tacklers before crossing the line to score. Docherty added the conversion. Preston responded soon after with a further converted try. Then as they tired Bolton pushed upfield and camped in the Preston half. A quick break by Howie split their defence and as he sped through, their cover tackler caught but not before he offloaded to new player Duncan Craigen who boshed his way thru to the line to score. Preston added a penalty before half time. Preston 15 Bolton 12.

The tit for tat scoring continued in the second half with Bolton opening the scoring as new player Andrew Baker threw himself over the line to score in his first match. Preston responded with a try of their own from a rolling maul. Gaz Flounders was unlucky not to intercept a pass from the Preston scrum half to his 10, but the ball just wouldn't stick and was knocked on. Bolton were again under pressure in their own 22, when once again turnover ball was won. Howie threw it to Tom Comery who weaved his mazy way all the way to the Preston 22, where he was half tackled. As he shrugged the tackle off and jumped over the attempted trip by the falling tackler he had enough legs to run to

the line to score. Preston finally had enough bulk to score with a further rolling maul. Final score Preston GH 29 Bolton 26.