Bolton 4s march on in the cup with some style

As with the cup tie last year, Bolton were visiting Tyldesley on the back of a crushing victory. Without the steadying influence of Uncle Les on the sidelines and with a much changed side due to the late morning player exchange it was a less than settled Bolton team that took to the field to warm up.

A good 30 mins of touch and Bolton were ready to go, one problem – no opposition. With only 5 minutes before the scheduled kick off, a few started to appear then the rest but no post protectors, no flags and apparently no key for the lock up - kick off was to be delayed a few minutes whilst the groundsman could be located. Tyldesely started to warm up – Bolton indulged in drop kick contests. Eventually at 3pm we were all ready to go but an interesting tactical decision by the Tyldesley captain saw the home side start with 14 players with one man on the bench.

From the start it was clear the two sides would play very different games, Bolton looked to spread the ball and use the full width of the pitch whilst Tyldesley were happy to keep it tight and look to drive it through the forwards. Good early pressure from Bolton was pinning Tyldesley in their own half, it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came, Dickinson taking a short ball from Spencer and crashing through to open the scoring, converted by Howie.

This was quickly followed by a try from his centre partner Ben Hill, conversion missed. Bolton were in complete control at this point with the big Tyldesley forwards unable to match the dynamism of the Bolton pack who time and again were recycling quick ball for the backs to show their silky skills. It was however to be a forward next to notch, with Ali Wilde continuing where he left off from the previous week with another powerful drive cutting straight through the defensive line for his first and Boltons third, converted by Howie. This however seemed to wake up the Tyldesley pack who took the ball from the kick off and started to ask questions for the first time of the Bolton defence but every surge and drive met by a wall of red with Cruice, Kelly and Sharples to the fore knocking them back time after time. A strong run up the wing from Sam Kelly took Bolton up to the Tyldesley 22, with the defence all over the place, Spencer spotted a gap but was brought down short, once again the forwards were there in force with Ali Wilde taking a short ball to notch his second, with the conversion by Howie, Bolton led 26-0 at the break.

The second half started much as the first had finished with Tyldesley taking the game to the Bolton forwards with their very efficient and effective forward drives. Bolton were on the back foot as the home side looked to get back into the match and play was taken deep into the Bolton 22. Just when a try looked inevitable, emergency prop Mark Down and second row Sharples combined to force a turnover, the ball was fed quickly to Mike Smith who sped off downfield, scrambling Tyldesley defenders halted Mike who fed the ball to Carlos Spencer who jinked deep into the Tyldesley 22, Craigan in support picked up and drove for the line but was stopped a metre short but Bolton were not to be denied and veteran prop Mark ‘Doc’ Robinson was on hand to finish off for his first try of the season, converted by Howie.

Bolton were into the last 15 minutes well on top. However over confidence in the Bolton ranks started to lead to mistakes, missed tackles and a lack of support play, along with some strong Tyldesley running once again Bolton were pinned back. Clearly the boys in blue were not going to just roll over and after a sustained period of pressure they finally got the rewards their efforts deserved and the Bolton defence was breached. Harsh words behind the sticks from captain Howie left everyone in no doubt the game was not over. Minds back on the game and Bolton were soon back into the opposition half, a quick break by Howie fed his half back partner and Spencer rounded the defence to score the try his excellent all round game deserved. With the darkness starting to settle Bolton again made their way up field and there was just enough time for Ali Wilde to crash over for his third try, his fifth in two games showing the importance of pace in a good number 8.

Final score 45-5 (official result 43-5)