Under 18s record home victory against Fleetwood

Games between these two sides used to be regular occurrences and regular Fleetwood victories; so it was going to be a tough ask for a Bolton Under 18s side missing several regulars but cheered on by a large crowd from the Junior Open Day.
The team liked playing to a live musical accompaniment and we must ask “Any Questions” back to play at all their games as they bring sunshine and superb assistance from the Under 17s who stepped up.
To be able to have a full 22 man squad was a first and thanks go to Jonny Wallis, Mat Chowdhury, Sam Smith, Adam Hackin, Seth Fairclough, Patrick Hargreaves, Tom Evans and David Price from the Under 17s team who didn’t have a game today. Thanks to the Under 17s coach and managers for allowing their players to play too.
The big and well drilled Fleetwood side had more of the ball and their pick and drive style tested the home side’s tackling but Bolton spun the ball wide with flair and the mid field trio of Tom Hill, Joe Partington and Josh Holmes looked dangerous with every touch.
Connor Orrell and Jacob Walker matched their Fleetwood counterparts and superb scavenging by the whole pack got Bolton enough ball to play and it was the home side that registered first on the score board. Slick hands took the ball down the left where Josh Holmes made metres. Joe Partington and Jordan Ashton secured the ball and quick service from Joey Gore allowed Tom Hill to generate space for Elliot Williams to round off the move and score mid way between the posts and touch. Tom Hill who was exemplary all day added the extras 7-0 and just 12 minutes on the clock.
Josh Holmes doubled the Bolton advantage shortly afterwards with one of a series of stepping runs and Tom Hill again added the extras 14-0.
It was all Fleetwood for the next 10 minutes as they upped their game and brought the score back to 14-12 with “power rugby” and two well taken scores.
Ryan McClusky put Bolton back in front at the break 19-12. It was Bolton’s turn to exert pressure on their opponent’s line and after several phases the pressure told allowing Ryan to step through the stretched cover. Tom Hill was for once off target but it was 19-12 to Bolton at the break.
The Under 17s led by Matt Chowdhury and Jonny Wallis had been superb in the first period and as injuries told Sam Smith came on for the unfortunate Charlie Hardern and Tom Evans replaced Joey Gore who limped off.
Fleetwood started the second period with gusto and it took no time for them to bring the scores level at 19 all. With almost half the game to go it was all to play for. Both sides were fired up and not taking a backwards step and the big crowd was loving every minute, cheering each piece of good play (by either side) and commiserating with any mistakes or fumbles.
Bolton weathered the Fleetwood storm and then scored the try of the game. Adam Hackin was on the end of another excellent move by Bolton backs and forwards and he finished with power and determination to put his team back in front, a position they never let slip from then on; 24-19.
The Bolton pack was giving Fleetwood no space and tackling like demons. As always Jordan Ashton and George Weston were awesome; rarely doing anything flash but doing everything at 100% and missing nothing. Harry Kay’s entrance to the fray was opportune as he shored up the scrum and gave the Bolton pack confidence and determination. His colleagues in the front row Joel Thompson, Jacob Walker and the brilliant Connor Orrell never looked back and with Matt Chowdhury stealing Fleetwood ball and playing “a blinder” the Bolton pack went from strength to strength and gained more and more confidence. This was exemplified as they changed the trend in the scrums and had the heavier Fleetwood pack in reverse for once. Seth Fairclough, Patrick Hargreaves and Jonny Wallis made a huge difference to the Bolton 8 and I’m sure the pack would love to have their help every week; they must terrorise their Under 17s opposition.
Out on the left flank James Sykes made his debut for the Under 18s and looked a real find for the team a player with great promise and a good future at Bolton.
David Price was the final piece of the jigsaw and made the 3rd scrum half in Bolton red to take part in the match; 4 if we count Sam Smith who had looked solid at full back and dangerous on the wing earlier. Like Tom and Joey previously David’s distribution was first class and his little dart from the base of the ruck gave the visitors back row yet another headache.
Ryan McClusky and Josh Holmes stamped their class on the remaining minutes of the game and scored a class try a piece to round off the match in style and send the big Bolton crowd home happy and round off a brilliant day in the Bolton Junior calendar. A superb open day where everyone had a brilliant time and a match that will live long in the memory to round off the event.
If the Under 18s still had a Man of the Match award Connor Orrell would’ve been a deserving winner but he would have been pushed hard by Tom Hill, Josh Holmes, Ryan McClusky and Joe Partington as well as the rest of the Bolton squad and debutant James Sykes. However, the final word must go to the lads from the Under 17s who were simple superb, never took a backwards step and looked as if Senior Colts rugby was made for them.
Well played to all the Colts today, we were proud of you all; take the plaudits you deserve them.