Bonus Points Again

Bolton welcomed Winnington Park for the first time to The Avenue last Saturday. It was a perfect day for rugby – the sun was shining; a relatively warm day for November and a perfect pitch.
The Cherry and Whites did not make the best of starts to the match. They made quite a few handling errors and allowed Winnington Park a couple of turn-overs. At this stage Winnington Park had the majority of the possession in the first fifteen minutes. Winnington Park tested the Bolton defence, which stayed very firm. Bolton were dominant in the scrum. In the sixteenth minute Bolton were awarded a penalty when the Winnington Park front row collapsed the scrum. Mike Mills converted the penalty from thirty metres out. Bolton began to get themselves a little more organised and started to keep possession of the ball. In the thirtieth minute there was a break by Will Bate who then passed inside to Rhys Pritchard, who in turn, drew his man and passed to Jonny Stanfield. Jonny beat his man and scored his first try. Mike Mills added the conversion. Bolton had some really good chances to increase their lead but failed to finish them off.
Half- time score: Bolton 10 Winnington Park 0
Bolton were slightly hampered at the start of the second half when a Bolton player was ‘Yellow’ carded just before half-time. Winnington Park were still very much in the game but Bolton gradually started to apply pressure and from a ruck ball Will Bate stepped inside his opposite number to score under the posts. Mike Mills added the conversion. Bolton were testing the Winnington Park defence with some quick ruck ball. Jonny Stanfield received the ball, cut back inside and beat four defenders to score under the posts. It was a try of individual brilliance. Mike Mills added the conversion. Winnington Park came straight back and scored a try of their own. Their fullback broke through the Bolton defence and scored a very good individual try which was converted. Soon after this, Will Bate went over for his second try; the forwards had won some quick ball. Will Barrelled through the Winnington Park’s defence. If he hadn’t scored, Alex Waddicar would have had something to say as he was in so much space outside him! Mike Mills added the conversion. Ryan McClusky was the next player to score. The ball was won from a line-out and two rucks followed. The ball was passed down the line and Gaz Pritchard drew his man and gave Ryan an exquisite pass to put him into space. He ran hard at two defenders to score. Mike Mills added the conversion. The final try was scored by Jonny Stanfield who was on the end of a fine pass from Rhys Pritchard, which completed his hat-trick. Mike Mills added the conversion which completed his seven out of seven attempts at goal.
Final score: Bolton 45 Winnington Park 7
Bolton played some really good rugby in parts and they should be pleased with their performance. The result gave them their eighth bonus point of the season, which is the best in the league at the present. Winnington Park had a few chances to score during the game but did not take them all.
Man of the Match: Jonny Stanfield