u16's Match report

Bolton entertained Rossendale at Avenue Street in this quarter final Blackstick cup game. Bolton have been on the wrong end of thrashings in the past by the Lancashire side but with Bolton much improved and Rossendale losing several players to bigger clubs it was going to be an interesting battle.
Bolton started the stronger of the two teams with pressure in the away teams 22 leading to a penalty opportunity for Ben Turner to convert but unfortunately he didn't have his eye in and the ball sailed wide.
But 4 minutes later further pressure from the home team led to another penalty but this time Ben Turner was on hand to convert the penalty for three points. 3 v 0 to Bolton.
Bolton have been working on their defensive system over the last two months which has proved to be un-breachable but a momentarily lapse in concentration let Rossendale in through the back of a ruck to score an unconverted try. The score now 3 v 5 to the away team how was Bolton going to react.
React they did and two minutes later Bolton were ahead after sustained pressure led hooker Connor McGauphey going over the whitewash which was converted by Ben Turner. Rossendale clawed their way back into the game but great support play by Bolton saw Sam Dawson collect the ball on the wing and sprint down the line and make his way under the posts to make the conversion easy for fly half Ben. 17 v 5. Bolton had a scare but for a try saving tackle by full back Joshua Grundy who was last line of defence stopping Rossendale's flying winger from going over.
Just before half time Captain Matthew Moore was rewarded for all his hard work with a try again converted by Ben. 24 v 5 at half time.
Bolton U16's had certainly clicked today in every department. Strong running by centre James Evans was opening up the Rossendale defence.
4 minutes into the second half Ben Turner dummied the Rossendale defence which opened it up and he sprinted for the line to score under the posts. He converted his own try. Milo Holmes then came on for James McDowell who had marshalled the Bolton forwards well in the first half. Owen Patel came on for Alfie Kay who had worked like a Trojan in the back row. On 18 minutes Matthew Moore scored his second try.
Bolton continued to dominate with Alex Greenhalgh pouncing on a ball after Rossendale couldn't collect it. James Evans attempted conversion from a long way out failed to dissect the posts. Wholesale changes were then made with Harry Dawber, MIchael Murphy, Cian Denvir, Sam Seddon and Jordan Hurst entering the affray.
Rossendale never gave up and with a couple of minutes to go they scored in the corner to make the final score 40* v 10 to the home side.
A brilliant performance by the ever improving u16's side.
Tackling award of the day went to James Evans who had to contend with a man mountain of an opposite number but dealt with it superbly. Most contribution to the game award went to Alex Greenhalgh who was everywhere today.
Player of the match award went to Joshua Grundy for keeping the Bolton try line secure from the Rossendale team.