Carnforth 2nd 0 Bolton 4th 22

... would have only 13 players for the game. However a detour to collect Sam Kelly from his death bed (self afflicted alcohol abuse) and Les Towler from his hospital bed ensures that we would have 15 players on the pitch. The lack of a full front row would be addressed later.

On arrival at Carnforth, the home team were already out warming up, so hopefully they would be exhausted before the game started. From the off Bolton were the team making the plays. And within 5 minutes student stand-off 'Carlos' Spencer dived over in the corner to open the scoring. Keith Howie's conversion bounced off the post. Carnforth lifted their game, with their stand-off making bursts thru the on-rushing defence. Fortunately the back-row of Eric 'who, me ?' Cruice, Gaz 'not me' Flounders and Mark 'guilty as charged' Higgins were always there to snuff out these incursions. Bolton's stand in prop, Duncan 'virgin prop ' Craigen was giving his opposite number a torrid time (Indeed by the end of the game he was on his 3rd opposite prop). Further pressure from Bolton kept play in the Carnforth half. A break from centre turned flanker Flounders was enough to cross the line for Bolton's second try. Howie added the conversion.

Bolton now upped their game and all the pressure was on Carnforth, with only kicked clearances from their '10' relieving the pressure. As Bolton attacked again, Mark 'glory hunter' Robinson picked up from the base of the ruck and dived over the line. With no whistle blown, he grimly held on to the ball, certain that the referee would soon see that he had touched down. In fact, the referee had seen that he had touched down, but the fact that he had dived over the 5metre line was of little relevance as far as scoring a try was concerned. Steve Forrester and John Kelly were tireless workers throughout the afternoon, with scrum dominance driven from the second row powerhouses. Hooker Mark 'JD' Down was also doing his bit with some good line out ball and general front row skullduggery. After a quiet spell, Bolton again neared the Carnforth line. Quick ball from the ruck was spun along the back line with centre Ben 'safe hands' Hill outpacing his opposite number to add Bolton's third.

Half time Carnforth 0 Bolton 17

As expected, Carnforth came back in the second half, with some first up tackles being missed, allowing them into the Bolton 22. Solid defence then came to the fore and strong running from Carnforth was snuffed out and ball was turned over to Bolton's advantage. The ball was moved quickly away from the Carnforth pack with Jack Dickinson running the ball in from the halfway line, before off loading to Higgins who had somehow, eventually, managed to make his way to the opposition try line.

As the half drew to a close, prop Craigen was sent to the sin-bin for 'boring', but he was adamant he hadn't said anything. At the same time the Carnforth prop was binned for offering far too much advice to the referee

Final score Carnforth 0 Bolton 22