Blackburn U15s vs Bolton U15s

20 January 2019

Blackburn U15’s v Bolton U15’s
Away

Weather: Misty, cool

Final Score Blackburn 10 Bolton 54

Tries: Hodson x 2 , McDermott x 2, Keogh, Moore, Glynn, Penalty Try x 1
Conversions: Price x 4 Glynn x 2

Bolton went away to Blackburn in what was a dress rehearsal for the final pool cup match in February with an almost full squad. Sadly, Blackburn were short through injury, and so Bolton loaned three players to get the game on.

Given the circumstances it was no surprise that Bolton came away the victors with an eight try haul but they will be pleased by the way they went about their win against an opposition that only lacked match experience.

The game was only a minute old when flanker Oliver Keogh scored his first try breaking through an ineffective tackle to touch over. Full back Mark Glynn, sharing kicking duties with fly half Ben Price , converted and Price converted a Leon Hodson try four minutes later to put the visitors 14 points up.

Blackburn showed some mettle to have a sustained period of pressure and were rewarded with a try on 21 minutes. Bolton’s response was swift and came through Hodson’s 19th try of the season following good work down the right from winger Leo Hope Barry.

On the half hour point, Mark Glynn, having an outstanding game, scored one of the best tries of the season , finishing a beautiful switchback move between him Hodson and Price which had been honed on the training ground. It was fitting for him to kick the conversion too.

Before half time, Glynn had another clear scoring opportunity foiled by a high tackle, for which a penalty try was awarded, leaving Bolton 35-5 up at the interval.

Bolton used the opportunity to change formation, and experiment with some new ideas, but they started with a score straight from kick off as centre Harry McDermott caught the kick and ran in a try with a fine individual effort. McDermott got his brace when Price kicked a beautiful ball from the back of the ruck over the try line which McDermott was able to catch and put down between the posts.

Blackburn throughout had continued to apply pressure and scored a deserved consolation try deep into the second half with a run of quality and power from their centre.

Bolton were not finished yet and when the ball fell loose beyond the Blackburn try line it was fitting that Josh Moore, playing a more central role with his usual combative tenacity was on hand to gratefully dive on the ball for a score which his performance had warranted.

As usual, the forwards remain the unsung heroes of a great team performance, but the points and the win were down to the backs making the very most of the chances presented to them through that spadework.. This result should give some confidence to Bolton going in to the final league game needing a win to secure top spot on February 10th.

Final score Blackburn 10 Bolton 54