A day of firsts for Under 16s

Bolton u16s travelled to Ashton on Mersey for the first time in many years to take on a team who have had their trials and tribulations in spades over the season and it was a pleasure to help out. Ashton’s u16s have recently merged with Bury’s u16s to ensure both teams keep playing and both sets of coaches and lads should be very proud of their efforts.
With only 14 home players a quick visit to the transfer market was arranged with Connor Orrell guesting in the Maroon at outside centre.
The Bolton lads started the brighter and were soon into their straps with a forward surge through the middle. At the break down the ball was spun left, Mikey Latham assured the Coaches that his fumble was a planned move but planned or not it definitely worked as he shimmied around a defender or two and found Joey Gore out wide. Normally a scrum half, Joey, pinned back his ears like a “Natural Born Winger” and raced in from 25m to set the tone. Tom Hill, added the extras for a 7-0 lead and just 2 minutes played.
The left side proved profitable for Bolton once again just 3 minutes later with Adam Kazmi scoring the first of a first half hat trick, Tom Hill struck the upright with his kick, 12-0. The just a few moments later it was deja vu but this time down the right wing as Adam raced away from the cover to make it 19-0.
Joe Partington seized his chance at Outside Centre by recording a brace of tries in quick succession. The first was converted by Will McCambridge (another first) and the second by Tom Hill. 31 unanswered points in 18 minutes; what a start.
Joe’s namesake Joseph Partington entered the fray as Will McCambridge’s replacement just in time to power into a maul and release the ball for Harry Stocks to set Ryan McClusky on a charge that ended under the sticks for a 6th try and a 38-0 lead, thanks to Tom’s trusty right boot.
With the game effectively over as a contest Bolton took the opportunity to try out some planned moves and James Kerwin looked especially dangerous off the right wing while George Weston (restored with boots thanks to his Dad’s mercy dash along the M60) running strongly up the centre channel.
Adam Kazmi completed his hat-trick and captain Josh Holmes rounded off the half with a try under the red dot which Tom converted to make it 50-0 at the break.
As the second half started Connor Orrell was released from his Ashton contract in a player exchange deal with Joey Gore and also Matty Ashton kindly swapped allegiances with a home player having to depart the scene. The half was only a minute old when Mikey Latham burst through the home defence and tiptoed along the touchline making 40m in a flash. The Bolton lads, as they were all day, were first to the breakdown, recycled the ball sweetly and Harry Stocks raced in for his first ever score in the Bolton red; another first on this day of firsts. Josh Holmes converted, yet another first!
To their great credit Ashton on Mersey/Bury picked up their game and perhaps had their best spell of the match with a drive or two and some secure talking out wide where Joey Gore made three back to back tackles on his Bolton colleagues; the last of which was a touch high but his excuse was he was after the scrum half job back and so he was allowed free reign on Harry the Bolton 9.
The home purple patch unfortunately couldn’t last and Ryan McClusky completed the scoring by a trademark power run through the home defence to dot down under the posts allowing Tim Hill to register his 5th conversion and bring the score to 64-0.
Sadly the game finished early, under 10 minutes into the second period when the home prop picked up a nasty knock on the small of his back. Taking no chances an ambulance was called and the game abandoned; thankfully the player was sufficiently well enough to walk to the ambulance after some expert assistance by the ambulance staff and First Aiders; thanks Cecilia.
This was a good and disciplined performance from Bolton and should give them heart going into next week’s semi final at Eccles. All the lads played well from numbers 1 to 19 and it was good to see a lot of the things we have been working on in training being put into practice on the pitch.
Harry Kay was named as the Players’ Player of the match for a brilliant performance with a barn storming surge toward the end. Harry’s game has improved no end and he adds real strength to the Bolton pack. His colleague in the front row, Tom McCormick picked up the Coaches’ award after an all round performance typified by the number of scrums he stole against the head and some bone jarring tackles. The Parents’ Award was received by Joey Gore for another all round display composed of sound tackling, determined rucking and a well taken try.
The awards could easily have gone to any of the players on show, Joe and Joseph Partington both shone in different areas of the field, Harry Stocks and Josh Holmes ran the game from the half back positions while Jordan and Matty Ashton were, as always, deadly in the nitty-gritty areas. Jacob Walker carried and ran well from prop and his determination and skill in the tight was a sight to behold while Jack O’Kane put down a few markers showing he’s almost back to his best following a long lay off.
Thanks to all for a great performance in rare sunshine on a great day for running rugby and well done to our hosts for looking after us tremendously and never letting their heads go down.