A Great Win on the Road

Bolton travelled to Liverpool Collegiate’s ground for the first time on Saturday. The players were met by the largest changing room ever and a fantastic view, from full length windows, over the cricket pitch. The rugby pitches were a little further down the road.
Bolton started the game brightly and took the lead in the fourth minute. The ball was won at a lineout and Jack Robinson passed the ball to Lewis Lockett, who took the ball right up to the Liverpool defence and popped a lovely ball into the gap. Will Bate steamed through the gap and beat the fullback to score. Lewis Lockett added the conversion. Bolton were back on the score sheet in the eighth minute, when a great passing movement across the field, by the backs, put Ryan McClusky over in the corner to score. The Liverpool side and their supporters were a little stunned by this onslaught. Liverpool converted a penalty in the fifteenth minute. In the eighteenth minute Bolton were back on the score sheet again. Chris Cockton broke through the defence and passed the ball to Andrew Wood to score. The game became a bit stagnant at this stage with both sides making unforced errors. Bolton returned to scoring ways in the thirty-sixth minute when Lewis Lockett made a break, drew the fullback and passed to Jack Robinson who scored.
Half-time Score: Liverpool Collegiate 3 Bolton 22
The second half was different as Liverpool came back into the game and started dominating possession, therefore putting pressure on the Bolton defence. They were encamped in Bolton’s half for large parts. Bolton defence was very good and prevented a couple of tries. In the fifty-fifth minute Liverpool scored and added the conversion. Bolton had the ball inside their own half and a good break by Lewis Lockett led to Jack Robinson scoring his second try of the match. Rhys Pritchard added the conversion. In the seventy-third minute Jack Robinson beat the defence and was tackled just short of the line. The ensuing ruck ball was picked up by Rhys Pritchard. He passed to Lewis Lockett, who was completely unmarked, to score. Liverpool came close to scoring on a couple of occasions and finally scored right at the end of the match.
Final Score: Liverpool Collegiate 17 Bolton 34
It was a good game of rugby and to finish with a bonus point win was pleasing. Bolton scored some great tries – their handling and flair won the day. Liverpool have improved over the season and gave Bolton much to think about.
Man of the Match: Jack Robinson