Bolton historically has been a footballing town with very few schools in the town playing rugby.
When you compare that with well-established clubs as today’s opponents were, being fed from rugby playing schools it has always been an uphill battle for teams from Bolton RUFC juniors to get the recognition they fully deserve.
Many players joined the team several seasons ago, some joining recently who had never even touched the oval ball never mind trying to get their heads around the many varying laws to the game. After a lot of hard work and dedication by the players, coaches and most importantly the parents they strived for the recognition they deserved.
Well that recognition finally arrived as Bolton juniors both the U13’s and U16’s represented their Club and town in the Plate and Vase finals respectively at Southport RUFC on Sunday, having both dispensed of strong teams from the Northwest of England in their paths.
Bolton U16’s reached the final having disposed of Rossendale in the quarter finals and Broughton Park in the semi-finals.Some of the players were losing finalists two seasons ago in a similar competition so they knew just what it felt like to come runners up and it wasn’t go to happen this time.
Their opposition was Fleetwood RUFC, they maybe ‘Fisherman’s friends’ but they certainly weren’t Boltons. Bolton lost two previous matches against this bogey team, but Bolton were now much improved since those games.
With a strong wind and the sun against them Bolton had to work hard against the elements in the first half and choose their tactics wisely. Bolton took the ascendency straight away with Milo Holmes directing the forwards to take the ball on at every opportunity. With driving pods right and left Bolton forwards marched up the field taking the ball to Fleetwood. Driving runs by Alfie Kay, Abdullah Hussain and Morgan Skeels-Caldwell at the forefront. Milo kept it in the forwards wisely occasionally releasing the backs with excellent crash centre moves by both Kier Kernick and James Evans punching holes in the Fleetwood defence, but they were strong and not to be easily breached. All of these moves coming off Ben Turner playing at standoff.
Bolton were awarded a penalty but the wind blew Ben Turner’s attempted conversion just wide.
Bolton eventually managed to ‘breach the dam’ after Fleetwood gave a penalty away just inside their half and Ben Turner put the ball out of touch 5 metres from the Fleetwood try line. Connor McGauphey playing at hooker found Matthew Moore jumping at 4 in the line who took the ball well and the Bolton forwards drove the ball over the Fleetwood line with Morgan Skeels-Caldwell at the rear of the maul diving over to score. 5 v 0 to Bolton. The conversion was missed.
Fleetwood rallied round and pressure from them put Bolton on the back foot in their own half and from that pressure conceded a penalty which Fleetwood ran out wide and scored in the corner.
A rare slip in the Bolton defence. Fortunately, it wasn’t converted and the game was level 5 v 5.
Bolton came back strong and capitalised on Fleetwood’s penalty count by forcing them back towards their try line with another Bolton lineout. This time however Fleetwood were ready and stopped the drive but further pressure from Bolton saw number 8 Morgan take control and go over for his second try. James Evans stepped up to take the conversion but the wind was too strong blowing the ball back away from the posts. Special mention to Joshua Grundy playing at full back who made unstoppable fantastic runs from his 22m area.
The game ended at half time 10-5 to Bolton but the game was by no means over. Special mention to Joshua Grundy playing at full back who carried the ball back towards the Fleetwood at least 30 metres with outstanding speed.
With the wind in their favour the half time team talk consisted of much of the same but with the elements now in our favour any chances to put the game out of reach needed to be taken.
Both teams held their own in the scrums and the lineouts, but in open play the Bolton forwards dominated their opposition and the Bolton backs defended much better than their counterparts and this is what the coaches have been working on all season.
Bolton’s break came halfway through the second half when Fleetwood gave yet another penalty away which Ben Turnerwho was having the best game of his rugby career so fardirecting the game at fly half, easily converted.
The score now 13 v 5 to Bolton, Fleetwood needed two scores to win the game with 10 minutes left.
Fleetwood piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes with Bolton camped on their own try line but were repelling every attack from the seasiders. Desperate last minute tackling kept them out until the final whistle blew much to the relief of the watching parents and coaches.
A richly deserved win for all the hard work this season by the players, coaches and parents.
Final score 13 v 5. Two tries to Morgan Skeels-Caldwell and a conversion from Ben Turner.
Player of the Match award as chosen by the Lancashire RFU went to Ben Turner who was awarded a separate trophy and medal.
Bolton’s regular coaches awards went to every single player in their squad which totals 25 but only 22 were allowed to attend the final