Bolton faced off against Eccles in their final group game of the Lancashire Challenge.

The girls had met each other a couple of weeks ago at a cluster event and Eccles came out winners on the day 55-37.

The Amazons knew they were up against it but with two key players returning Aisha Abdi and Iona Barnes into the fray we were in a stronger position than last time.

Bolton started the stronger with Holly Turner running from inside her own half all the way down the right side and dotting down under the sticks.
Iona Barnes converted the try.

Next on the scoreboard was Aisha Abdi who was playing her best game of the season, she fended off multiple attempts to stop her, wriggled free and scored under the posts. Again Iona Barnes was on hand to convert the try.

Eccles didn't appear to be the same team as two weeks ago but Bolton had stepped up their game with great rucking from all the forwards. Eccles did reply when they took a quick tap penalty and caught the Bolton defence sleeping.
The try was unconverted.

The Amazons went on to get their third try through Iona Barnes, who was being watched by her sponsor 'The Farm with Betti' giving her extra support. She converted her own try. Bolton forwards were growing in confidence with Felicity Redford, Phillipa Irving, and Bridget Stone securing good ball for the backs. Iona Barnes was having a field day in her new position of inside centre, going over for her second try of the day. At half time the score was 19-10 to Bolton.

In the second half the Bolton pressure never dropped, Eccles were struggling to break down the Bolton defence with Betty Weall and Aisha Abdi putting in massive tackles.

Isabel McNaboe was having some great foraging runs and Bolton's continuity was working well. The first try of the second half went to Holly who just managed to escape the clutches of an Eccles player to score after she was chasing her down. Iona again converted the try.

Eloise Ryder and Eve Barrow shared the scrum halves role playing a half each and were always on hand to link with the backs.

Bolton's front row of Ellie Winn, Felicity Redford and Erin Shaw held their own against the big Eccle's front row, considering they hadn't played contested scrums much all season.

Iona Barnes completed her fantastic day with a hat-trick of tries. She converted her third herself.

Eccles did come back into the game and scored a third try but with time running out on the clock, great work from Aisha, collecting the ball from the kick off and feeding Erin Shaw who battled her way over the try line to score. The game was running away from Eccles now and then the 'star of the day' Aisha Abdi had the final say with a brilliant solo run to score her second try under the posts. Final score 50-15 to the Amazing Amazons.

3 Tries Iona
2 tries Holly
2 tries Aisha
1 try Erin
5 conversions Iona

Coach's player of the match, Captain's player and Players' Player all went to Aisha Abdi.

Fantastic all round performance by everyone.