Bolton Under 16s claim an Historic victory!

Liverpool St Helen’s (LSH) is a potentially daunting place to travel to given its reputation and class of former players that include none other than Fran Cotton and Mike Slemen.

Our boys started brightly with strong ball carrying from Cameron Barber (8)and support from Jo Kusnyer(4) setting the scene for what was to follow. It was important for us to establish our credentials early on and George Wilkes’(7) tackle on their potentially frightening prop ensured that LSH knew they would not have it all their way!

It was LSH that then had their own period of pressure which asked questions of the Bolton defence, but this stood strong with the midfield pairing of Jack Robinson (12) and Shaun Monaghan (13) stonewalling any potential LSH threat. After 10 minutes LSH were awarded a penalty on their 10m line, fed the ball through the back line and after 2 or 3 missed tackles it was left to the ever reliable Jubair Miah(15) to make the try saving tackle.

Bolton then produced some excellent forward play with repeated recycling and winning turnovers in the opposition 22 which then produced the first score on 25 minutes, with the powerful Barber just keeping the right side of the sideline in the process of touching down. 5 – 0

Bolton continued to frustrate LSH with well organised defence which saw LSH start to make increasing numbers of handling errors and high tackles. Forward momentum from one Bolton penalty saw Jack Robinson pick up the ball from the opposition 22 and several sidesteps and dummies later places the ball firmly down under the posts giving Will Lomax(3) an unusually simple task of adding the 2 extras. 12-0

To make matters worse for LSH just prior to half time, the sleeping giant in the form of Liam Austen(5) (with an ‘e’!) awoke to punch a big hole in the defence with his usual aggressive approach to ball carrying,well supported by captain Louis Townsend, produced a further score for Cameron Barber after a strong and well organised drive from the pack. Lomax converting from wide. Half time 19-0

The second half saw Jake Rigby immediately in the action on the right wing, catching the kick off and running hard at his opposite number. This produced sustained pressure on the LSH line although this could have been turned into points had the backline been utilised earlier. However, Bolton did get a scrum from a ‘not straight’ LSH lineout from Which Harry Stockton (10) launched an inch perfect high hanging kick for Jack Robinson to run onto and catch for the fourth try. 24-0.

LSH came back strongly in the final quarter after Bolton’s tendency to kick away possession handed them some opportunities which after a string of offences from Bolton produced their only try of the game which they converted. 24-7. Full time.

This was a really entertaining match to watch with too many excellent performances to mention them all this time The half back partnership of Kieron Shacklock(9) and Harry Stockton (10) is beginning to look the part and the tackling was much improved although as a team we do probably still tend to aim a little high! This is a team with undoubted potential. Even greater communication and organisation, blending the backs and forwards together will see Bolton Under 16s be a force to be reckoned with! The coaches will be pleased with today’s performance but of course will want the side to strive to reach the next level, which they are quite capable of doing with continued high quality training.

Man of the Match : Cameron Barber
Champagne moment: Louis Townsend’s X rated team talk at the end of the match and big smiles all round!!