u16s register a tough win

Bolton Under 16s 24 v 17 Tarleton Under 16s

After not playing for 2 months the Under 16s had a second game in a week and perhaps the shock was too much for them as they didn’t really get out of second gear throughout. Mind you it could have a lot to do with the tenacity and determination of our visitors from Tarleton who played extremely well and were unlucky not to come out of the game with something.
The coaches really shuffled their cards today with 5 changes in personnel and a further 5 positional changes which may not have helped but it was good that everyone in the squad has had a starting shirt over the 2 games and a chance to impress.
Both sides started briskly but some handling errors meant that the game didn’t flow too well and a further stoppage for an injury didn’t really help. Thankfully it’s good to be able to report that after a trip to hospital the visiting Number 7 is back up and about.
Ryan McClusky kicked off the scoring after 20 minutes of stalemate with a break away try running a full 70m to score under the post, making Adam Kazmi’s conversion a formality (7-0). Before the break Bolton had crossed the whitewash again when a Tom Hill followed up a kick to put the visiting full back under pressure and picked up the loose ball to stretch over. At half time the score was 12-0.
In the second period Ryan McClusky again outstripped the visiting defence as burst down the blind side to score in the corner, Tom Hill adding the extras with a superb kick (19-0).
Harry Kay, starting for the first time, played a blinder and a couple of challenges in the tight and a bulldozing run earned him the Coaches’ Man of the Match award. Jacob Walker kept up the Front Row Union’s press for recognition with an outrageous dummy and break just a few moments later to leave the crowd in raptures.
Bolton seemed to be cruising but Tarleton didn’t slacken off and drove the Bolton side back down the field and under the shadow of their posts, quick hands and a nice drive saw them across the line. Then straight from the kick off the visiting 14 took the drop out, stretched his legs and outflanked the home defence to make it 19-10, game on.
Will McCambridge settled a few Bolton nerves with a great solo kick and chase try to make it 24-10 but Tarleton had the last word with a further score to make the last few moments more than a little nervous once more.
The Players’ Man of the Match award was presented to Tom McCormick for an excellent performance around the park while Ryan McClusky gained the Parents award. Jake Lever and Levi Walsh also deserve a mention for good performances in the black shirts of Tarleton.
What did we learn today? Firstly that Tarleton prefer to kick off later and that they have improved in leaps and bounds this season, secondly that Will McCambridge is a better footballer than we expected, thirdly we have some good new players and some of the older hands might need to look to their laurels for starting spots but finally that we need to play with a bit more intensity and desire but that we can grind out a result when we need to.