Raging Bull Plate Final - here we come

Bolton 4th XV 24 vs Didsbury TocH 4th 8

What seemed to be an easy game to arrange turned out to be a nightmare. First thing, we’ve given over one of our pitches to Bolton Mets Rugby League, so we have to arrange an early kick off. The opportunity for the visitors to be back at their own club before the (very disappointing) England game made that one relatively easy to sort. Friday phone calls, “what time is kick off?” (despite being told the week before and by text during the week), “Oh, i don’t think i can make that, but i’ll be there later” really helped as well. On the day, heavy overnight rain left the groundsman with a difficult decision. He was ready to say “Just play one game at home today”, little knowing that there were three home games and two of them were semi-finals ! A little arm twisting and we were ON. Thanks to Jim Kay for spending the next 2 hours forking the pitches to make sure the games were on. Pick up the kit from the laundry, down to the club, to sort out kit, balls, changing rooms. “Can you come and do an interview for the TV crew”, JoinInUk.org were at Bolton Rugby Club for the day filming aspects of volunteers and being a member of a Rugby Club, ”sorry not at the moment”. Then the players started to arrive . . . Bearing in mind this was a BIG game, and we were all supposed to be UP for it, by the appointed meet time we still had less than half of the team ! And one of those was in flip flops and a hoodie, so much for shirt and tie (you know who you are). Half an hour after meet time and the 19th member of the squad arrived. At kickoff time the 20th still hadn’t arrived so it was a good job I had my kit with me 
At last, kick off. There was much to-ing and fro-ing as both sides sounded each other out. The 10 minutes in, and a quick tap penalty and the backs were off, with Jack Dickinson being stopped just metres short. Play then resumed back to a mid-park encounter. Bolton were awarded another penalty and with a change of direction the backs were off again, with Spencer Petttittt breaking thru the line to release Ben Hill who ran over to score in the corner. 5-0. The experienced Didsbury pack were making life difficult for the Bolton forwards, but the never say die attitude meant that we just stuck at it, knowing our opportunities would come. Then from pressure in the centre of the field, Spencer picked up and outpaced the defence to score under the posts. Captain Keith Howie added the conversion. 12-0. This was more like it. Minutes later, following more pressure from the Bolton forwards, a loose ball was picked up and Spencer passed out to Jack Dickinson on the wing who ran in from the 22m to score in the corner. Once again the conversion was added. 19-0. Didsbury, sensing that the game was slipping away from them, upped their efforts and put pressure on the Bolton line, but a stolen ball allowed Bolton to clear their lines with a fine run by Howie and then Ali Wilde taking play down to the visitors 22m. At the half-time whistle, Bolton knew that they had to maintain their attacking pressure and defensive composure to keep the opposition out of the game.
The second half was a bitty, mid-field affair with both teams defending well. Bolton conceded a penalty on their 22m line, but Didsbury elected to take the easy kick at goal, rather than trying to take on the effective Bolton defence. At this point the 20th member of the squad arrived !!! Anyway, back to the game. From prolonged pressure in the Didsbury 22m, a succession of drives took a maul to the line where Wilde dived over to score. 24 – 3. With the clock counting down and about 5 minutes to go, Didsbury made their last attack. Some poor midfield tackling allowed them to gain momentum and then with an overlap their winger went over in the corner to score. But it was too little too late. Bolton had the result they wanted. Bolton 24 Didsbury 8.
Team: Mark Robinson, Pete Catherall, Mark Down, Ian Fox, James Sharples, John Kelly, Nick Bridges, Eric Cruice, Ali Wilde, Gaz Flounders, Mark Higgins, Keith Howie, Spencer Pettitt, Ben Hill, Jack Cormican, Jack Dickinson, Ben Harwood, Mike Smith, Jamie Cairns, Charlie Walton. Manager: Les Towler. Other regulars who didn’t get a game on the day: Sam Harwood, Lee Mann, Rory Biggins, Bryan Taylor, Sam Kelly, Danny Docherty and Duncan Craigen.

So, onwards to the Final on 4th May against Leigh 4th, who currently top our league. Venue – on a rugby pitch in a galaxy far, far away. May the Fourth be with uth.