Bolton Rugby Club u14’s Amazon girls made the short trip to Eccles RFC for round two of the Northern Girls Network cup matches. The girls all wore odd socks for the game in honour of the Down Syndrome awareness week.

Their first match was against Eccles who had joined forces with Manchester RUFC.
Bolton got off to a slow start but soon remembered their instructions about keeping the ball alive and off loading it where possible. After 10 minutes the Bolton girls found their rhythm and after several good runs from Raid Hodgkinson-Bostock she powered over the line much to her delight. Her grandad Gary who was a coach at Bolton over the years and who sadly passed away a few months ago with cancer would have been very proud.
Bolton tackled well and stopped the gritty Eccles attack on several occasions.
Jasmine Cox who was later chosen as the players' player of the match scored next when she broke through from more or less her half of the pitch.
Further tries from Amelia Crook and two from Sofia Reis-Coop finished the game.
Sofia’s second try came from excellent support when Jasmine broke through but was stopped from scoring with a desperate tackle but Sofia was on hand for the off load.
Amelia would have had a second try but it was disallowed as she grounded the ball just off the pitch. Captain Iona Barnes, who’s kicking is improving week by week, converted two of the tries. A fantastic result, Eccles never gave up but it just wasn’t to be their day.
Final score Bolton 29 v Eccles 0

The second game was against our friends Trafford Metrovicks who were fired up after coming off the back of two defeats. They were soon on the scoresheet with an excellent try.
Stern words from the Amazon captain Iona and vice captain Holly Turner seemed to fire the lethargic Bolton team. They grew back into the game and Eleanor Shawcross who hasn’t been with the team long scored her first try after picking the ball up at the back of a ruck and weaved her way over the line. The score now 7-5 to Bolton. Eilidh Burns playing at scrum half scored after an excellent run. Again Iona converted the try.
Trafford managed to get on the scoresheet after excellent pressure but further tries from Holly Turner picking the ball up at the back of a scrum and diving over, Sammie Makin and a second try for Eilidh Burns finished the game off. Iona converted three of the five tries.
Final score Bolton 31 v Trafford 10

Bolton U12 amazons went to Manchester RUFC for an u12’s cluster meeting.
Our girls teamed up with Old Aldwinians and a girl from Fleetwood and their first game was against Glossop who had teamed up with Trafford. Ariana Chapelow made her debut for the u12’s. Aisha Abdi scored three tries and Eve Barrow scored one and the won the first match 5 tries to two.
Their second game proved much more difficult against a strong Rochdale/Burnley side. They lost this 10-1 but Eve Barrow from Bolton scored a fantastic try. Unfortunately Aisha Abdi had to leave the field with an injury. Maddie Iredale and Phoebe Melon never stopped tackling all morning. Well done to the small u12’s group.