Aldwinians RUFC Under 18s 5 v 83 Bolton RUFC Under 18s

After the cancellation of last week’s game due to the rain and the recent weather it was a pleasant surprise to arrive at Aldwinians in balmy December weather with the ground soft and muddy but perfectly playable.
The soft ground looked to be an advantage to the home side and the last thing that Bolton expected was the try fest that was to follow, started by captain Josh Holmes in just the 4th minute when he outpaced the cover to score under the post to give Joe Speakman the easiest of conversions, 0-7.
Joe Speakman was probably the outstanding player in a first half of great performances by all 18 of the Bolton squad. His speed, change of pace and eye for a gap had the home defence in all sorts of trouble and he set up Joe Partington for Bolton’s second try and improved it himself, 0-14.
From the kick off Ryan McClusky pounced on the ball and sprinted down the undefended right wing, he bounced off the attempted cover tackles and leaving blue shirts in his wake dotted down beneath the black dot for Joe to convert and it was 0-21.
With the Under 17s game off, Sam Smith travelled with the Under 18s and his was the next score as he blasted great holes through the defence to round off a 70m plus scoring sprint. Joe was a little casual with his conversion and so the score remained 0-26. He was given second chance just moments later when hooker Adam Kazmi sprinted clear of the pack, toyed with the full back and scored a lovely try out wide. Joe couldn’t slot the kick from a wide angle 0-31.
The first half’s 7th try was the pick of the bunch and was rewarded by a comment from the sideline of “I didn’t realise we were watching New Zealand”. Good forward play tied in the home defence and Harry Stocks spun a perfect pass to Joe Speakman. Slick hands saw the ball down the backline at breakneck speed to give Joe Partington a gap on the outside. As he was tackled by the “never say die” home defence he flipped the ball out of the back of his hand for the looping Joe Speakman to gather, dance around the final defender and score by the posts. A breathtaking show of handling which Joe improved himself to make the score 0-38.
There was still time before the half for Bolton to score two more well taken tries by Ryan McClusky and Charlie Aylett. Joe kicked both goals to make the score at the break 0-52.
The coaches shuffled the team after the break and Joe Speakman took a well-earned rest with Harry Stocks moving to Stand Off from Scrum half and Joey Gore coming in from the wing to take Harry’s berth. Adam Kazmi gallantly offered to help out Aldwinians who had lost a player due to injury; a move that proved telling.
Straight from the kick off Joel Thompson took a nasty bouncing ball and took on the home defence, the Bolton pack recycled the ball beautifully. Connor Orrell drove on and from the next ruck Joel showed good awareness to draw the defence and pass onto Mason Lockley who setup another copy book breakdown. This time the ball went wide and Harry Stocks put Josh Holmes through the cover like the proverbial knife through butter and the captain scored another well worked try which Harry converted.
Josh completed his hat-trick just a few moments later scorching down the left flank; 0-64. Jordan Ashton looked to finally break his duck but a last ditch tackle by Aldwinians new Number 12, Adam Kazmi, saved the day right on the goal line and then just moments later as Jordan burst through the middle it was Adam again who took him down in full flight. Adam made it 3 in 3 as he next felled Ryan McClusky as looked to be breaking away to register his own hat-trick.

However, Ryan only had a moment to wait as he was the next to score again down the left flank where the angle proved too tough for Harry. Sam Smith profited from another of Josh’s line breaks to score the final Bolton try. Josh could have chosen either Joey on his left or Sam on his right and put the Under 17 over for his second on the day. Harry, with his radar now back in operation, made the final Bolton score 83.
But Adam wasn’t finished and he had the final work burrowing over the Bolton line from a couple of metres to make the score 5-83 to Bolton as the referee blew the final whistle and brought the game to an end earlier than anticipated.
All 18 Bolton players made a great contribution and Adam made one for both teams. Up front Harry Kay, Adam and Connor Orrell scrummaged well and were aggressive in the loose, Joel Thompson, George Carbery, George Weston and Mason Lockley ran superbly and along with the front three pilfered a substantial amount of Aldwinians ball to set the Bolton backs up with many a 5 on 3 overlap. The backrow of Charlie Aylett, Ryan McClusky and Jordan Ashton were immense as always and it was such a pity Jordan couldn’t register the try his excellent season to-date has deserved; Adam be warned training could be tough!!
In the backs James Sykes had his best game in a Bolton shirt; perhaps a drive from the coast is his best preparation for matches. He ran strongly and determinedly and like Jordan a try would’ve been a just reward for his play. Charlie Hardern, Sam Smith and Joey Gore all made telling contributions while the midfield duo of Joe Partington and Josh Holmes had Aldwinians in all sorts of trouble. However, the half backs stole the show, Harry Stocks gave Joe Speakman an armchair ride at Stand Off as Joey did for Harry later, however, it was Joe Speakman who lit up the pitch and two tries and 7 goals all in a dynamite first period rounded off a superb performance and were just rewards for his speed of thought and run.

It was good to see injured player Jacob, Chris and Tom down to cheer on their team mates. See you back on the pitch soon guys.