Sunday 24th January 2010 Bolton 16's 8 v 36 Heaton Moor

A team they previously met two seasons ago when they resoundingly beat Bolton. After a last minute injury the home team were down to only 14 players so they knew they were going to have to work hard for one another to keep some control over the game.

Unfortunately the wake up call had yet to kick in, resulting in Heaton using their speedy and effective wings to score three tries and put over two conversions in the first 10mins; although James Timms had taken the opportunity offered by a penalty in front of the posts to give the home team three points in reply.

The next 20 mins then showed what Bolton can do as they started to affect some control and defend courageously, drift across to cover the wings, line up effectively at the ruck and with only a seven man pack hold their own. Inevitably as the first half went on Heaton used the extra man to press the advantage and in the last five minutes before the break Bolton were 3 -31 down.

At the break the Heaton Moor management generously offered one of their players to Bolton to make up the full squad. The second half continued with Bolton and Heaton contesting up and down the pitch for a good 20 mins without score before a scramble on the line resulted in a try awarded to Bolton, which after some deliberation was attributed to Tom Swift. The game continued to be well matched and it was only at the death that Heaton broke through again to score leaving the final result 8 – 36 to the visitors.

Once Bolton got going they again showed they have the skills to compete. They fought for the ball and took Heaton 20yds down the pitch with a maul at one point – when Heaton had originally taken the ball in! The game was played in good spirit by both teams, with Scrum Half Sam Kelly even taking the time to point out the finer features of his opposite numbers game to the match official – you had to be there! The team played for one another and supported throughout which despite the final result was great to see – could do without the first ten minutes of the match though lads!