Bolton Amazons U14s girls rugby team made the long trip to Crewe and Nantwich for their away game and came back with the spoils.
It was an entertaining game with both sides contributing to a great game of rugby. Bolton took an early lead with Amber Pettitt scoring her first try since joining the team with a powerful run from 10 metres out.
That was followed by a try from Betty Weall who broke away on the left wing to score after some great passing from the backs. Captain Iona Barnes managed to convert one of the tries but one unfortunately struck the cross bar and bounced back.
Bolton dominated the scrums in the first 15 minutes, on occasions stealing the opposition ball. The front five of Charlotte Stone, Felicity Redford, Raid Hodgkinson-Bostock, Erin Shaw and Amber Pettitt were in control. Crewe and Nantwich were not to be outdone however and scored a well worked unconverted try.
With the score at 12-5 to Bolton and with Holly Turner, Sophie Rose and Amelia Crook working hard at the rucks it looked like everything had clicked for once. Lizzie Barrow playing at scrum half made sure the both backs and forwards received good ball from the set pieces. Jasmine Cox as ever strong in both running and defence never gave up and we lost count of the number of tackles in the game.
On 15 minutes, changes were made and further tries by the away team from Iona, Amelia Crook and Sofia Reis-Coop started to build the score. Crewe hit back with the score at 20-10 it looked like it could go any way.
Eilidh Burns had come on at scrum half and after one of her trademark sniping runs dived over the whitewash from close range.
The try of the game came when Bolton made a break and kept the ball alive with numerous off loads finishing with Lizzie Barrow just stopped short of the Crewe line but great support from Raid and a great off load from Lizzie put Raid in for her try. Iona converted the try.
It looked like Bolton were heading for a big score but Crewe and Nantwich never gave up and came back fighting and their number 4 who was eventually chosen as the away coach's player of the match went over to score.
Holly Turner and Amelia added further tries before the end and the final score of the match was 55-25 to Bolton. Iona Barnes converted four of the tries with Jasmine Cox also converting one. A fantastic all round performance by all 20 players. A great team effort making parents and coaches very proud.

Awards went to: Parents' player of the match was Jasmine Cox, Opposition's players of the match were Holly Turner and Amelia Crook. Betty Weall received the award for captain's player of the match and Holly also picked up the coach's award. Bolton Amazons are training next Sunday in preparation for their cup game the following Sunday.