It was an unusually hot day for the quarter final of the Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy against Heaton Moor RUFC. The Bolton lads were really up for the game, having lost to Heaton Moor the previous week and with some returning players to the squad it was set to be an exciting match.
The first half started with a Bolton kick off and within the first 10 minutes Bolton had shown some good play in both defence and attack. Some great runs from Lou Critchlow, Connor Orrell and Jonny Wallis, broke the line and gained valuable yards. Within Heaton Moor’s 22 Bolton were awarded a penalty, which was kicked by Ross Hayden and Bolton were leading 3 - 0.
Bolton continued to play to strong, winning lineouts, rucks and scrums, tackling hard and getting the ball out to the backs, who would run it hard and get the boys up the pitch. Josh Holmes, using his speed and agility to run past players (including sitting down their prop), was just denied a try but managed to off load to Ross, who scored and converted making it Bolton 10 Heaton Moor 0 25 minutes into the first half.
The first half finished with Bolton dominating after more good running from the forwards including Paul Leigh, Matt Robinson was particularly effective cleaning up the tail of Heaton Moor line outs. Bolton were awarded another penalty not long before half time with Ross making a superb 45-yard kick and Bolton going into half time 13 - 0.
In the second half Heaton Moor started to fight back and with Bolton giving away a few silly penalties, Heaton Moor were right on the Bolton 5-yard line. Bolton defended well but after several warnings from the Referee, Tom Crook was shown a yellow card and Heaton Moor scored a well worked try. Leaving Bolton with 14 men and the score now 13 - 5 to Bolton.
Bolton fought back, with the pack running hard and the team making yards. This effort was awarded with another plenty, Ross making the kick and Bolton’s lead increased, 16 - 5. The game continued with Bolton frustrating the opposition causing them to make mistakes and pinning them in their 22. The next try was Bolton’s and came from a clearly worked out line out, which was brought down and popped to Tom Crook to run down the blindside, unfortunately Tom was tackled, and Ross was able to collect the ball and place it down over the try line. The try was converted and Bolton lead 23 - 5.
Heaton Moor picked up the pace again and battled hard to make it back up the pitch. From a ruck Heaton Moor managed to get it to their 10, who noticed an overlap and threw a pass down to the line allowing their centre to run hard and pass to the winger to score their second try of the game. With the score now 23 - 12 and only 10 minutes remaining, Bolton knew they had to respond.
The game ended 30 - 12 to Bolton, with a great break through the line from the backs to a pass off the ruck to Lou, who steam rolled his way over the line to score. Ross converted and Bolton played the last 5 minutes working hard with the knowledge that the game was theirs.
A great game was had by both sides and with Bolton back on winning street, they are looking to their next game at home on 14th October against Didsbury Toc H who are currently 7th in league.

Man of the Match: Matt Robinson