Carnforth 2nd XV 12 – Bolton 4th XV 22

Within minutes Bolton had crossed the line in the corner, only for the touch judge to adjudge it a double movement, which the referee accepted. Bolton kept on the pressure, and before long the pressure told, as Mark Higgins offloaded the ball to centre Gaz Flounders for him to run the 20m to score. As Bolton kept on the pressure stand-off Jack Cormican threw the ball wide to his backs to stretch the home team defence. Finally, other centre, Jack Dickinson sneaked over to score. Captain Keith Howie added the extras. Any progress that Carnforth made down the pitch was firmly rebutted, with sound defence from the back row of Eric Cruice, Ali Wilde and Higgins. New flanker Ian McAuley, playing at hooker and jumping in the line, was having a great game, with some penetrating attacking runs and good line out wins. He got his reward just before half time when he crossed the line to score his debut try. There was also a welcome return for full-back Charlie Walton, but that was cut short just before half time as his lungs gave out.

Bolton expected to build on their lead in the second half, but it wasn’t to be. A rejuvenated Carnforth team took the game to the Bolton line and crossed for a converted try of their own. An injury to fly-half Cormican, after he was felled by a mole hole, allowed veteran Les Towler to join the fray. There was also a further injury to winger Sam Harwood as he gained a hamstring injury whilst retrieving the ball from a nearby hedge. Carnforth then crossed the line for a further try. Bolton decided that now was the time to finish the game and made ground into the Carnforth 22. From a scrum near the line, Higgins picked up and taking the opposition back row with him crashed over to score.