Defeat for U16s

Bolton U16s defeat at Rochdale.

Boltons under 16 team first game of the new season was an away league match at Rochdale. The game started brightly enough with forwards getting plenty of possession. Bolton 10 Jos Winstanley adding territorial kicking to the game with great effect now that lifting in the line out is allowed.
The cherry and whites made steady progress up the pitch crashing forwards at every opportunity. Rochdales defense was solid and uncompromising and only last ditch tackling saved the Rochdale scoreboard.

It was against the run of play when Rochdale ran out the first two scores, converting both to lead 14-0 at half time.
Rochdales aggression at the breakdown was starting to tell, even though Bolton pack were dominating with Ben Gidman Knowles and Harry Round outstanding in the forwards. Rochdales forwards were preventing quick ball and starving the Bolton backs of decent possession.

From the base of a ruck number 9 Jack Philips sniped over for Boltons first score and the momentum started to swing towards the visitors, within 5 minutes some great attacking play Jos Winstanley sending number 8 Jack Byrne crashing over for the second try.
Bolton sensed the tide was turning but it was Rochdale that took the next points, agonisingly it was counter attacking rugby from Rochdale that was the difference on the day. The Bolton team were dominant in possession and territory but couldn't find a way to turn that into points on the day.
Final score Rochdale 33 - Bolton 10