Mason & Joel make winning debuts for u18s

Bolton Senior Colts got their season off with a bang at The Theatre of Trees against an opponent we had never played previously; a pacey and strong tackling Wilmslow side. It took just 42 seconds for Bolton to open the scoring as the ball was whipped along the backs for Josh Holmes to outpace the cover. A superb covering tackle from the Wilmslow 15 looked to have saved the day but a speculative offload was picked up by Joe Partington who somehow hung on to the ball without breaking stride and outpaced the cover to dot down under the posts. Tom Hill added the extras and everyone remembered to take a breath. What a start to a season!
If Bolton thought that that was the way things were to be for the rest of the game they had another think coming as Wilmslow powered back into the game and had soon changed the scoreboard around to be leading 12-7 with two well worked tries.
A rare foray into the Wilmslow 22 resulted in a penalty with Tom Hill knocked over 10-12 and Bolton were back in the match.
Man of the match Ryan McClusky pushed Bolton ahead with the first of his hat-trick of tries (17-12) after a break by Josh Holmes and Elliot Williams where they offloaded from the floor to each other on several occassions but Wilmslow had the upper hand as the teams turned round with another score to make the score at the break 17-19. This was becoming some game.
Wilmslow weren’t as quick out of the blocks in the second half as Bolton had been in the first but within 2 minutes they had extended their lead with well worked try to take them 17-24 ahead and they seemed to be in the ascendancy playing some good and controlled rugby.
However, this was the incentive Bolton needed. They tidied up the area around the rucks and started to play a more controlled game. Surging runs from debutants Mason Lockley and Joel Thompson supported by Charlie Aylett, Jacob Walker and Connor Orrell put the lads in red on the front foot and superb distribution from half backs Joey Gore and Tom Hill gave the backs room to move. Ryan McClusky’s second score and Tom Hills conversion put the teams level and for once Bolton had the upper hand.
Harry Kay was making a huge difference in the scrums and also was playing in “they shall not pass” mode in the rucks and mauls and this led to more and more Bolton ball which the team didn’t waste.
Unfortunately Firth Lord had to leave the pitch with a knock and Bolton were forced into another reshuffle with Ryan McClusky finding himself on the left wing. Firth had played superbly throughout and it was great to see him back in Bolton red.
Connor Blades was controlling scrum ball and Jordan Ashton was as impressive as ever in both the loose and the lineout. Charlie Aylett seemed in control of every situation while Joel Thompson and Harry Kay had the game by the scruff of the neck and just wouldn’t let go.
Ryan took the opportunity to extend the Bolton lead as a loose ball found him in a yard or two of space out of the left flank. He had just enough time to get up steam to break the first couple of tackles and then stretched out his legs to round the full back and dot down. 29-24 and Bolton were back in the lead.
This was a purple patch for Bolton. Mason was running straight and looked almost unstoppable at times. Joel was immense in attack and defence and George Weston must’ve been feeling left out as he burst through several tackles on a 20m foray. Such front foot play led to a real team try. A series of hit ups drew the Wilmslow cover and the ball was quickly moved along the backs for Elliot and Josh to once again combine to drive the reds deep into the blue 22. Yet another covering tackle by the Wilmslow 15 stopped that attack but the Bolton forwards were there in strength and recycled the ball in double quick time. Joey Gore fed Charlie Aylett, who summed up the situation, fed the ball out to Tom Hill who put Mason Lockley under the posts unopposed for a debut try which had the supporters purring on the sidelines. Tom Hill was again spot on with the kick 36-24 and what a way to round of the Bolton scoring.
With time running out Wilmslow heads never dropped and their half back pairing always kept them in the match and driving forward. A time of dominance led to pitch position and despite some heroic Bolton defence the Wilmslow attack stretched the Bolton cover this way and that and a try followed wide out. 36-29 and 4 minutes to go for a game that had had everything - could Wilmslow secure a draw?
Bolton recovered the ball from the kick off and a superb backs move looked to have put Tom Hill away but he was brought back for crossing. Wilmslow seized on the possession and again drove forward. Only last ditch tackling by Joe Partington stooped their momentum and Bolton could celebrate just a moment later as the final whistle blew.
A superb game played in excellent spirits by two well matched and attack minded sides that had the crowd cheering from first to the final minute. What a season opener.
Congratulations to the Bolton 17 who all played well throughout and deserved their victory though couldn’t have complained if a draw had been the final outcome. The return match later in the season should be a belter.
Plaudits go to Mason Lockley and Joel Thompson for superb debut performances; Harry Kay for his best ever showing in a Bolton shirt (he was immense), Connor Blades for helping us out and finally to Adam Kazmi who played out of position for half the game but gave 110% in all he did.

Bolton Under 18s look forward to welcoming Fleetwood to Avenue Street next week. The game will round off the Junior Open Day and let’s hope for another match like today’s as it would be a great advert for Rugby Union.