The big 50 on the Black and Reds

Bolton 50 Aspatria 26

The Avenue was the setting for the annual ‘Club Day’, the sun was shining, the pitch was in pristine condition for the first team’s premier home game of the new season against Aspatria.
Bolton, in front of a large crowd, took the first initiative when from a lineout, the ball was passed to Tony McLaughlin, who set up a ruck and the ensuing quick ball enabled Will Bate to score. Bolton kept the pressure on and in the seventh minute they scored their second try. Quick passing gave Josh Holmes room on the outside and just as he was tackled into touch, he managed to flick the ball inside and Joe Speakman picked it up to score. Joe added the conversion. Aspatria were rather stunned by the Bolton start. They picked themselves up and were awarded a penalty in the eighteenth minute. The game was played at a fast pace and in the thirty-third minute Aspatria were awarded another try after some really great defence from Bolton. In the thirty-sixth minute Bolton scored another try when the ball was won in the lineout against the throw, Niall Murphy passed to Joe Speakman who beat the Aspatria defence with some great footwork and scored. Joe added the conversion after Aspatria charged the kick too early. The spectators thought that the whistle was about to be blown for half-time. Rhys Pritchard had other ideas, he broke through and was just about to score, when the Aspatria winger ‘high’ tackled him and the referee had no hesitation but to award a penalty try.

Half-time score: Bolton 26 Aspatria 10

Bolton were soon on the scoreboard in the second half. Firstly, Joe Speakman added a penalty in the forty-first minute. Secondly, in the forty-fifth minute Will Bate an excellent break in his own half and ran fifty metres and then passed to Josh Holmes to score. Joe Speakman added the conversion. Aspatria continued to pressure Bolton and worked a good try in the fifty-sixth minute. Bolton were dominating the scrums and lineouts. In the seventy-second minute, Ash Cooper made a sterling run and the ball was passed out to Will Bate who broke through the defence and off-loaded to Josh Holmes to score again. Joe Speakman added the conversion. Aspatria still tried to get back into the game. Following a kick and chase which resulted in a ruck after the lineout they went over to score in the seventy-seventh minute. Bolton had the final say in the match. James Higgins won the ball on the ground and good passing led to Niall Murphy putting through Tony McLaughlin to score under the posts. Joe Speakman added the conversion. There was just enough time for the re-start and Bolton caught the ball and formed a ruck. James Singleton dug the ball out of the ruck and calmly kicked the ball into touch which ended the game.

Final score: Bolton 50 Aspatria 24

This was a good team performance in front of their own supporters. The team controlled the game and some of their passing and finishing were excellent. Aspatria were a good side and kept the ball well but Bolton’s defence kept them at bay on quite a few occasions. The tries that Bolton scored were well executed and there was some very good support play.

Man of the Match: Will Bate

Thanks to all that came down to support!!