Under 12s all change...

A low key weekend for the boys was dramatically altered when a three way combination of Aspull, Ashton on Mersey and Stockport arrived early at Bolton to play a friendly match. With a few regulars missing, the team was hastily tweaked, with Lewis Picton at prop and Joe Cropper at number eight, the Bolton forwards were not short of speed, but possible lightweight in the scrums.

With Jude Hill slotting in for a run out at scrum half and new boys Ellis McNally and Joel Matthews having a run out on the wing, it was a much changed side than started the week before.

Josh Padmore and James Harris packed down in the scrum and drove the opposition back in the rucks and mauls. The backs provided some great handling across the line but couldn't quite finish the moves off. It took the number 8 come prop for the day Lewis Picton to barge his way over to open the scoring, at which point the flood gates opened.

Tom McNulty scrambled over for a long awaited try, followed by two close range drives from James Harris and Josh Padmore, not to be left out man of the match Jaime Lambert and the versatile Tom Platt scored two great tries, looping dodging and close support play tearing large holes in the opposition back line.

The team was shifted around as the coaches took every opportunity to mix the play up, with Tom Platt playing centre, and full back interchanging with Lawson Bates Jaime Lambert and Owen Lewis.

Alastair Harris took a rare opportunity to dart over and score, with a four man overlap highlighting the excellent support play throughout. Two typical weaving runs from Sean Carragher brougfht his brace for the day, although his efforts with the conversions were not quite as good.

A first try for full back Lawson Bates was converted by his own good self, Lawson also contributed well with the boot after relieving Jake Rimmer from the duties for most of the match.

A late try from the opposition reminded the boys there was still a need to play tight rugby, and Lewis and Joe closed out the game with two hard fought tries from loose play.

Final score 72-7 and a good day given the changes in the Bolton team and a three way Barbarians type of opposition who never gave up throughout the game.

Overall, the Bolton forwards dominated too much for it to be an even game, but they provided an excellent platform for the new boys in the team to settle in and play some running rugby.