Bolton run out of time in spirited comeback. Aspatria 40 Bolton 33
Bolton made the long trip to Aspatria for their second league game of the season. The game was very entertaining and it was real end to end stuff. Aspatria got off to a flying start and they were leading after fourteen minutes by 14 -0. Bolton started to find their feet in the match and the defence improved rapidly and came back into the game and after a missed penalty, Will Bate scored Bolton’s first try of the afternoon which Alex Waddicar converted. Aspatria came back immediately and scored a good try to take the lead 21-7. Rhys Pritchard completed the scoring of the first half with a very good try. The half time score was Aspatria 21 Bolton 12. The second half continued at the same pace and Aspatria scored first to lead 26-12. Bolton kept up the pressure and Alex Waddicar almost scored after a good break. From an ensuing ruck Will Bate broke right and passed an exquisite ball to Niall Murphy on the inside for him to barrel over for a try, and again Waddicar converted. Aspatria came again to score a good try from deep and make the conversion. Bolton responded with a well worked try from Jonnie Stansfield and Waddicar duly converted. In the last ten minutes both sides played some good rugby and Aspatria’s big forwards produced good quick ball from a ruck, and this gave their centre space to score under the posts. The score now was 40-26. With five minutes to go Bolton scored another try from a lineout close to Aspatria’s line and Ryan McClusky fought his way over for Bolton’s fifth try of the afternoon and Rhys Pritchard made the conversion. In the last couple of minutes Bolton had a chance to snatch a draw but a handling error denied them. Bolton played with a lot of spirit and it was very pleasing how they fought back after a poor start and it was great to see the players working together to sort things out. To come away with two bonus points was also very pleasing. The Man of the Match was Will Bate.