Revenge of the Leyth

Their opponents were Leigh, who had already won the league title, remaining unbeaten this season. A big game for both teams.

Leigh started the stronger and were soon pressing the Bolton line. A clearance kick was collected by the Leigh winger who beat 4 tackles to score 0 – 5. Bolton responded and took play to the other end of the pitch. Leigh conceded a penalty for not rolling away from the tackle and Keith ‘Luke Skywalker’ Howie added the 3 points 3 – 5.

Within minutes, though, the same Leigh winger was allowed space to run and added his second try 3 – 10. In a repeat of their response to the first try, Bolton once again headed down into the Leigh 22m. Again a penalty was conceded, but this time the kick was missed. The wind was to prove decisive in this game.

A good run by ‘Obi-wan’ Ben Hill kept the pressure on the Leigh team. Following a penalty under the posts, a charge from Mark ‘Emperor Palpatine’ Robinson and then one from Ali “Lando Calrissian’ Wilde were both repelled, but then from a second penalty the ball was moved wide to Hill who dived over the line to score 8 – 10.

As Bolton kept the pressure on, Leigh again conceded penalties, and this allowed Mark ‘Jabba the Hutt’ Higgins to tap and go to force his way over the line, with Bolton taking the lead 13 – 10. In the final minute of the half Leigh pushed forwards again, and once again the try scoring winger was allowed to run to make yards. Leigh recycled the ball twice but created a gap which allowed their centre to score and re-take the lead 13 – 15. No conversions kicked from 5 tries, the wind was having an effect.

The second half was a nervy affair for both teams, with Leigh scoring first through their big number 8, 13 – 22. Bolton responded with their own number 8 picking up at the scrum and barging his way over 20 – 22. Into injury time, and Leigh were penalised for pulling the scrum down. The penalty was well within range but drifted agonisingly wide. On the last play, as Bolton conceded a penalty Leigh elected to kick straight to touch, but once again the wind had other ideas as it held the ball in play. Wilde collected and shrugged off 5 tackles to head forwards again. The ball was recycled but Bolton had run out of time and the referee blew for full time.

Alas, the force wasn’t strong enough on the day.

Bolton 4th XV Cup Final squad: Mark ‘emperor palpatine’ Robinson, Peter ‘grand moff tarkin’ Catherall, Mark ‘darth maul’ Down, Ian ‘boss nass’ Fox; Duncan ‘chewbacca’ Craigen, Jim ‘count dooku’ Sharples, John ‘boba fett’ Kelly, Nick ‘c3p0’ Bridges; Gaz ‘han solo’ Flounders, Ali ‘lando calrissian’ Wilde, Danny ‘princess leia’ Doherty, Mark ‘jabba the hutt’ Higgins; Keith ‘luke skywalker’ Howie (C), Spencer ‘jar jar binks’ Pettitt; Jack ’darth vader’ Dickinson, Jack ‘salacious b. crumb’ Cormican, ‘obi-wan’ Ben ‘kenobi’ Hill, Jamie ‘bollux’ Cairns, Sam ‘jango fett’ Kelly, Charlie ‘yoda’ Walton.

Manager: Les ‘George Lucas‘ Towler.

Other cast members: Eric Cruice, Mike Smith, James Gisborn, Sam Harwood, Lee Mann.

Highlights Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnrQXwvZP24

Full Match Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2jKN1LFnJg