U18s advance to final of Senior Colts Lancashire Cup

After last week’s superb performance against Glossop but eventual disappointments of losing out in the League Bowl semi-final the Bolton lads had a second opportunity to progress to a final as they took on old sparring partners Fleetwood in our last ever game as Juniors at Avenue Street.
As always Fleetwood had brought the weather with them and it was a glorious day in Bolton for a match that will be long remembered by everyone who was there.
Having beaten Fleetwood twice already this season Bolton may have been a little complacent but they should’ve known better as every game between these two teams always seems to be a classic and this match was no exception as both sides put on a display to be long remembered.
Fleetwood started the game with a series of superb driving mauls and showed their skills in the tight as they drove the Bolton lads back. In fact this was to be the story of the first half. However, things looked rosy for the home outfit as Ryan McClusky seized on a loose ball and outpaced the cover to score in just the 4th minute. Chris Brownlow was on target and Bolton looked good at 7-0.

Perhaps Bolton thought after last week’s outstanding performance that this game was there for the taking but how wrong they were. Fleetwood returned to the close play and spent the next 25 minutes on top and in the Bolton half looking the most likely to score and certainly the most dangerous. And score they did, three well worked tries to make the score 7-19 with just 22 minutes played. The game had a totally different complexion and Fleetwood looked like they had the game by the scruff of the neck and it would just be a matter of how many they scored.
However, the Bolton lads rose to the challenge and started to gradually get themselves back into the match. With the unfortunate Harry Kay injured early in the game he finally had to admit defeat and despite manfully soldiering on and helping stem the green and yellow tide he was withdrawn and Jacob Walker took up the gauntlet at prop.
Charlie Aylett and Jordan Ashton started to win some ball and the big Fleetwood forwards started to get knocked back encouraged by a peach of a tackle by Mason Lockley. George Weston and Connor Orrell put their shoulders to the wheel and the red shirts slowly began to believe that a Liverpool v Dortmund-esque escape could just be possible.
Scrum half Harry Stocks also laid down a marker with a couple of tackles and this helped his team mates to start to get back into the game. Stand Off Joe Speakman began to purr like the Rolls-Royce he is and Joe Partington and the newly introduce Tom Hill began to get ball and a little space. However, it was captain Josh Holmes who rallied his troops by example and gave them belief as the first half ended with the score unchanged, 7-19.
After a nasty knock Chris Brownlow re-entered the fray and James Sykes took over from the hard running and A+ defence of Adam Kazmi on the right wing. James has been out for a while but this was his best ever performance in a Bolton shirt and he made a difference almost instantly with a good break and recycle.

The Bolton forwards helped by Matt Chowdhury’s lineout throwing and Jordan Ashton’s catching (ably assisted by Jacob, Joel Thompson, Connor and Ryan) started to secure more and more ball and this encouraged them in the scrums where they dug deep and even stole some Fleetwood put ins. The extra possession gave the Bolton backs more opportunities, and though their handling wasn’t as slick as it has been in earlier games they started to make some breaks. Joe Partington burst through the centres and just a moment or two later Josh Holmes looked to be away but he stepped on the touch line as he handed off the final defender. Good natured booing was the response to the Bolton touch judge raising his flag.
However, Josh’s run was the catalyst and with superb work by the backs and forwards carving a huge hole in midfield he again burst through and this time drew the full back to put James Sykes over the line for a well-deserved try which Chris Brownlow improved and it was game on at 14-19.
Josh Holmes was in a purple patch and with Charlie Aylett putting his body on the line and breaking the Fleetwood defence Josh scored wide out to bring the scores level. Chris’ conversion attempt slammed into the post and so with 15 minutes to go it was all square.
Fleetwood kept on the attack but Bolton’s defence was up to the task and despite a couple of back to back 5m scrums on either flank the lads in red kept their line intact and their discipline never wavered.
The final 15 minutes were as good an exhibition of Colts rugby as you are likely to see but the game seemed to be swinging slightly in the home side’s favour. With just 2 minutes left on the referee’s watch Bolton dug deep and mounted possibly their most complete attack of the match. From half way they probed right but were stopped by typically tenacious Fleetwood tackling. The ball was starting to finally be recycled with speed and direction and another couple of meters were gained by a forwards drive. When the time was right the ball moved at pace along the back line and Tom Hill put Sam Smith into space and his power, pace and determination did the rest as he put Bolton back in front when it mattered with a special try. Chris Brownlow calmly slotted the extras and Bolton where back in from 26-19 with just the knockings left.

It was hard to take for the Fleetwood team but they gave it a final push and made those last 2 minutes seem to last for nearer 20. Recovering the ball from the kick off they made ground and attacked down both flanks in turn. However, the Bolton defence had resumed it’s defiance that we have seen all season and when the referee blew for a penalty for Bolton with time finished the ball was kicked into touch with triumph by Chris Brownlow and Bolton were on their way to the Lancashire Cup final in 2 weeks against Widnes.

At the final whistle all players from both teams congratulated themselves on a brilliant game where everyone had put in a performance to be remembered. The whole day was a superb advertisement for Colts Rugby Union in every respect and it was a pleasure to see both sides shaking hands at the end.
All 21 Bolton players gave everything to the cause and all the spectators, no matter which side they supported were adamant that this was one of the best games of Junior Rugby they had witnessed. A brilliant way to end the close connections between both sides that have spanned many seasons and always seem to have produced close and exciting games. But a sad occasion as it was the final game as Juniors for the Bolton lads at home.
Unfortunately, one team has to lose a semi-final and while the Bolton lads were ecstatic to have won the game they recognised what a great game both teams had served up and it was great to see both sides leave the field together and discuss the pertinent points over a drink and a pie in the club house.

In the Bolton side we need to recognise the contributions from Johnny Wallis, Paddy Hargreaves, Matt Chowdhury and Sam Smith who stepped up from u17s rugby to help their mates and were superb. In the pack Harry Kay, Connor Orrell and Jacob Walker were imperious at the “coal face” while George Weston and Jordan Ashton did the hard yards and unglamorous work with their usual aplomb and ruthlessness. Charlie Aylett, Ryan McClusky and Mason Lockley were electric both with ball in hand and in defence. In fact todays performance was built by hard work and dogged determination by the Bolton 8 and they deserve a huge WELL DONE. As always the half back pairing of Harry Stocks and Joe Speakman made the Bolton play possible, both showed that every side to their game is class. In the Centres Chris Brownlow, Joe Partington and Tom Hill again made the hard yards and stood toe-to-toe with their counterparts and in my opinion came out on top. Out wide Adam Kazmi was superb in the first period, James Sykes a revelation in the second half and it was great to see Sam Smith getting the plaudits with the match winning score. At full back Josh Holmes was immense, he talked strongly, gathered every kick and it was a delight to watch him with ball in hand.
We wish Fleetwood every success in their Senior League Shield final next Sunday against Wilmslow while Bolton will take on Widnes in the Lancashire Cup final the following Sunday.
To round off the best of rugby days the match was followed by the Colts Presentations. Thanks to Eraina Smith for putting on a great spread for the lads and showing that it isn’t just Sam who has skills in the Smith family. It was a presentation to remember with both the Under 17s and 18s celebrating winning their respective leagues and each player receiving a commemorative tankard to help them remember the best season of Colts rugby in Bolton’s history. Fittingly Josh Holmes took home the Players Player of the Season trophy, Jordan Ashton the Coaches Player award and Connor Orrell the accolade of Most Improved Player.
What a day, and we get to do it all again on May 1st as the under 18s play their final Junior Rugby Union game ever in the Lancashire Cup final. It should be a day to remember.