Bolton 4th XV 45 vs Blackpool 1st XV 21

What a turn around from last week ! The return of Bolton University students meant that on paper the team was 25 strong. One loan to the third team, and two no-shows still left us with a healthy 22 players. Unfortunately Blackpool wouldn’t allow 7 subs to be used so we had to restrict ourselves to ‘just’ 20 players.
From the start Bolton applied pressure to the Blackpool line with Ali Wilde passing to Sam ‘home from university to get my washing done, Mum, please’ Kelly who crossed in the corner. The conversion was added by Andy ‘used to play for Blackpool when I was slimmer’ Jolly. From the restart Bolton again pressed the opposition line. It all seemed a bit too easy. And then Blackpool scored a breakaway try and conversion, so suddenly it was all square again. Bolton upped their game and the play began to flow. From a mid-park ruck the ball went wide and centre Ben Hill split the defence and ran to score under the sticks, conversion added. Again the play was all with Bolton and from a similar distance the ball was moved wide again and winger Mike Smith sailed over the line to open his account for the season. Three tries to one ahead and Bolton took their foot off the gas. Poor tackling allowed Blackpool to pull back another try and conversion. A try was needed before half-time to keep a healthy gap between the two teams, and it was that man Hill again, with another incisive run to score his second, conversion added. Half time Bolton 26 Blackpool 12.
From the restart it was Bolton again who moved forward, with man of the match Hill adding his third try. Wilde added a further converted try, a just reward for his work throughout the game. 26 points ahead and in the last quarter of the game and Bolton eased off, allowing to add 2 further scores, one a mazy run by the Blackpool centre as poor Bolton tackling allowed him to gain momentum. With minutes to go captain Keith Howie added a well taken individual try, converted by Jolly. Final score Bolton 45 Blackpool 24
A good team performance that was recognised as such by Blackpool, to the extent that they couldn’t believe that they had just played a Bolton 4th team and been beaten by over 20 points. Praise indeed. FACT.