Bolton Under 18s secure win against LSH

A week after a less than scintillating display at New Brighton and with the injury list growing daily things looked grim for Bolton Under 18s as they were due to take on a 3rd place Liverpool St. Helens at Avenue Street. However, the Under 17s’s game was called off and the lads rallied to the rescue and helped their follow Colts out.
From minute 1 in today’s class Bolton it was obvious that Bolton had a much better mind set this week and they were the first to strike with Mason Lockley powering over. Tom Hill’s conversion was charged down but Bolton had an early lead 5-0.
Liverpool St. Helens (LSH) wrestled the initiative from the home side and their Fly Half levelled the scores with a lovely curving run.
Elliot Williams came close as he was bundled into touch just a few metres from the try line by stout LSH defence after good work from Josh Holmes. That partnership had the visitors under constant pressure all match.
Ryan McClusky was the home inspiration and he was definitely fired up for this match and he put Bolton back in front again powering over from close range with spare men outside. Tom Hill didn’t have his kicking boots today so the game stayed at 10-0. After just 12 minutes and 3 alternate scores it looked like it would be that sort of a game but both side’s defences tightened and managed to absorb pressure.

It took a lovely break by Adam Hackin to bring the next touchdown. The Bolton backs always looked dangerous with ball in hand and Tom Hill and Josh Holmes were getting the upper hand in midfield. Good play gave Adam Hackin a yard of space which he used to good effect to break the line and as he was tackled he popped the ball to Scrum Half Joey Gore in support. Joey stepped and handed off the final man but was just ankle tapped as he broke clear. Bolton quickly recycled the ball and zipped it along the back line for Mason to get the second of his brace. Tom Hill’s conversion hit the post; that’s 3 in the last 2 home games that have hit the same one so the score are the break remained 15-5 to the home outfit.

With Jacob Walker missing due to an ankle injury Harry Kay and Connor Orrell took over the propping duties and with Matt Chowdhury winning a good share of LSH scrum ball and George Weston and Mason Lockely’s support from the 2nd row the Bolton pack looked a force.
Adam Kazmi entered the fray at half time for the impressive Rohan Patel and the look in Adam’s eye showed how pleased he was to be back after a leg injury. Ciaran Bach had brought a lot to the superb Bolton work in the breakdown in the first period and he also took a well deserved rest with Paddy Hargreaves and Jonny Wallis coming into the game. Coach Jonathan Hill also brought on Sam Smith at full back to give Charlie Hardern a well deserved chance to get his breath back after some lovely runs in the first period.
The game restarted with LSH on the front foot in the initial exchanges but the Bolton defence caused a couple of uncharacteristic handling errors and soon Bolton were in the right areas of the field to apply pressure. This pressure led to a score by Sam Smith to round of the best of weekends for the youngster who was part of the Ball Team at the England v Uruguay match the previous evening. Tom’s radar was again on the blink but Bolton were 20-5 in front.
To their credit LSH roared back and the next 10 minutes were a real purple patch for the vistors who deservedly crossed the home line to make the score 20-12 and the game looked in the balance.
However, as LSH attacked upfield a loss of possession gave Josh Holmes the all he space he needed to make them pay. He sprinted up the left wing outpacing defenders after a wonderful hand-off gave him space. He then jinked off his right foot to sprint away to score under the posts despite the “never say die” chasing of the visitors prop. Tom duly obliged from the kicking tee and the score was 27-12.
Tom Evans replaced Joey Gore at scrum half and George Weston took on the unfamiliar role of Prop to give Harry Kay a well deserved breather after his second powerful game in 2 weeks. George’s move to the front row didn’t detract from an immense performance from the Bolton pack and they still kept the visiting 8 under pressure.
It was very fitting that Adam Kazmi recorded the final score of the game as he had played the second period with steely eyed determination and put in probably the best ever performance of his career thus far. A breakdown on half way looked innocuous but Adam ripped the ball out and spun away down the short side outpacing the visitors’ cover and securing the Bolton victory dotting down between the posts. Tom Hill was back on track and his conversion made the final score 34-12.
A superb performance from the Bolton Under 18s and the play from the Under 17s stepping up couldn’t be understated as they made all the difference.
As always Jordan Ashton was immense winning line out ball and buzzing round the field like a true Number 7 (Mr Robshaw take note), George Weston, Mason Lockley and Connor Orrell ran straight lines with immense power and determination while the back three of Charlie Hardern, Elliot Williams and Adam Kazmi, ably helped by Rohan Patel and Sam Smith were always dangerous. Joey Gore had a great game at Scrum Half and looked dangerous and confident like his half back partner Tom Hill while Harry Kay was the rock the success was built on. Thanks again to the Under 17s who stepped up and played some superb rugby, however, today’s plaudits go to Ryan McClusky and Josh Holmes. Ryan ran strongly and with determination and power while Captain Josh Holmes ran the second period.
A week of rest with no game on Sunday should hopefully give those with injuries some time for R&R and they will be back stronger and fitter for the visit of Oldham on 25th October.