Back
Sun 12 Apr 2015
Under 16sWidnes
12
10
Bolton U16s victorious in BB Vase Final
Peter Gore17 Apr 2015 - 18:52
Share via
Bolton U16s 12 Widnes U16s 10
Man of the Match; James Val-Brookes
In atrocious conditions with strong winds and driving rain Bolton U16s overcame a determined Widnes side to lift the Vase at Leigh RUFC on Sunday afternoon.
Widnes started strongly and pushed Bolton back towards their own line with a series of scrum and lineout wins. Bolton tackled hard and resisted the onslaught with every player standing their ground. Eventually, with some determined forward drives from Will Hinchclife, Paddy Uzoka, Callum Naylor and Ciaran Bach and a mazy run from Adam Hackin, Bolton made inroads into Widnes territory. The pressure got to Widnes and they were guilty of several offences at the breakdown. Some quick penalties and solid running from Jonny Wallis and Paddy Uzoka led to sustained pressure on the Widnes line. A further penalty for offside was fed quickly to Rohan Patel on the wing 10 metres out. Rohan broke back in field and with most of the pack driving him on dived over for the first score. In a difficult wind and only 10 metres in from touch Matthew Chowdhury stepped up and coolly slotted over the conversion. Bolton 7 Widnes 0.
From the resulting kick-off Widnes once again mounted relentless pressure. Bolton made a few mistakes and knocked on a few too many times. From a scrum on the Bolton line Widnes passed along the line and their inside centre crashed over underneath the posts. The easy conversion was made. Bolton 7 Widnes 7.
The rest of the first half was a war of attrition with both sides having periods of dominance but neither defence cracked. Half time 7 all.
The second half began in a similar manner but Bolton seemed to have more confidence, they were winning the collisions and causing Widnes to give away penalties and the set scrum was becoming more dominant. Bolton kept letting Widnes back into the game with handling errors, understandable in the terrible conditions but frustrating for the players. Other Bolton players were beginning to stand out with powerful runs, Sam Smith from full-back, James Val-Brookes at scrum-half joining Rohan Patel and Adam Hackin in nearly breaking the Widnes line. Tom Heatherington back in the team after injury put in some big hits, Finn Parker was a terrier around the breakdown and Paddy Hargreaves played the captains role in both attack and defence. After a series of drives at the Widnes line Bolton were guilty of handling in the ruck. Widnes broke free and although the team rallied and the move broke down Bolton transgressed once more in the following play and were penalised, 30 metres from their own line in front of the posts. With 5 minutes remaining Widnes converted the kick to take a 10 – 7 lead.
In such wind, cold and rain the Bolton team could have been excused if their heads had gone down but they didn’t! From the kick off Bolton drove Widnes back. A couple of scrummage successes, followed by another penalty lead to a determined drive towards the line and when the referee had blown for a try and what appeared to be the whole Bolton team removed themselves from the ruck James Val-Brookes had the biggest smile on his face. An even more difficult kick was taken wide by the gale force wind. Bolton 12 Widnes 10.
From the kick off Bolton controlled the ball. In frustration Widnes continued to offend and allowed Bolton to retain very solid possession. Bolton came very close to forcing another try at the death but a knock on lead to the final whistle. Bolton 12 Widnes 10.
This was a thoroughly well deserved, hard fought win. Tense and dramatic to the end – shame about the weather.
The following boys also played and though not individually mentioned earlier contributed to what was a complete team performance. All should hold their heads high and celebrate in style; Jacob May, Seth Fairclough, Tom Evans, Eddie Southcombe, Harry Lomas, Matthew Bateman and Sam Hall. Also a mention for David Price who helped the team get to the final but wasn’t available for the match.
Parents and friends celebrated very vociferously! A fabulous end to the season for a wonderful group of young men but especially for their fantastic coach of more years than anyone can remember – Pete Hackin. Thank you Pete you have been an inspiration to all our sons and your efforts are very much appreciated.
In atrocious conditions with strong winds and driving rain Bolton U16s overcame a determined Widnes side to lift the Vase at Leigh RUFC on Sunday afternoon.
Widnes started strongly and pushed Bolton back towards their own line with a series of scrum and lineout wins. Bolton tackled hard and resisted the onslaught with every player standing their ground. Eventually, with some determined forward drives from Will Hinchclife, Paddy Uzoka, Callum Naylor and Ciaran Bach and a mazy run from Adam Hackin, Bolton made inroads into Widnes territory. The pressure got to Widnes and they were guilty of several offences at the breakdown. Some quick penalties and solid running from Jonny Wallis and Paddy Uzoka led to sustained pressure on the Widnes line. A further penalty for offside was fed quickly to Rohan Patel on the wing 10 metres out. Rohan broke back in field and with most of the pack driving him on dived over for the first score. In a difficult wind and only 10 metres in from touch Matthew Chowdhury stepped up and coolly slotted over the conversion. Bolton 7 Widnes 0.
From the resulting kick-off Widnes once again mounted relentless pressure. Bolton made a few mistakes and knocked on a few too many times. From a scrum on the Bolton line Widnes passed along the line and their inside centre crashed over underneath the posts. The easy conversion was made. Bolton 7 Widnes 7.
The rest of the first half was a war of attrition with both sides having periods of dominance but neither defence cracked. Half time 7 all.
The second half began in a similar manner but Bolton seemed to have more confidence, they were winning the collisions and causing Widnes to give away penalties and the set scrum was becoming more dominant. Bolton kept letting Widnes back into the game with handling errors, understandable in the terrible conditions but frustrating for the players. Other Bolton players were beginning to stand out with powerful runs, Sam Smith from full-back, James Val-Brookes at scrum-half joining Rohan Patel and Adam Hackin in nearly breaking the Widnes line. Tom Heatherington back in the team after injury put in some big hits, Finn Parker was a terrier around the breakdown and Paddy Hargreaves played the captains role in both attack and defence. After a series of drives at the Widnes line Bolton were guilty of handling in the ruck. Widnes broke free and although the team rallied and the move broke down Bolton transgressed once more in the following play and were penalised, 30 metres from their own line in front of the posts. With 5 minutes remaining Widnes converted the kick to take a 10 – 7 lead.
In such wind, cold and rain the Bolton team could have been excused if their heads had gone down but they didn’t! From the kick off Bolton drove Widnes back. A couple of scrummage successes, followed by another penalty lead to a determined drive towards the line and when the referee had blown for a try and what appeared to be the whole Bolton team removed themselves from the ruck James Val-Brookes had the biggest smile on his face. An even more difficult kick was taken wide by the gale force wind. Bolton 12 Widnes 10.
From the kick off Bolton controlled the ball. In frustration Widnes continued to offend and allowed Bolton to retain very solid possession. Bolton came very close to forcing another try at the death but a knock on lead to the final whistle. Bolton 12 Widnes 10.
This was a thoroughly well deserved, hard fought win. Tense and dramatic to the end – shame about the weather.
The following boys also played and though not individually mentioned earlier contributed to what was a complete team performance. All should hold their heads high and celebrate in style; Jacob May, Seth Fairclough, Tom Evans, Eddie Southcombe, Harry Lomas, Matthew Bateman and Sam Hall. Also a mention for David Price who helped the team get to the final but wasn’t available for the match.
Parents and friends celebrated very vociferously! A fabulous end to the season for a wonderful group of young men but especially for their fantastic coach of more years than anyone can remember – Pete Hackin. Thank you Pete you have been an inspiration to all our sons and your efforts are very much appreciated.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
