Close, but not composed enough...

Manchester 35 Bolton 22

Bolton travelled to Cheadle to play Manchester. It was the first time that the two clubs had met. There was a very warm welcome for Bolton players and supporters from the Manchester Club.

The game started very well for Manchester and they scored a well worked try in the fifth minute and added the conversion. Immediately, Bolton came back and scored a try of their own from the re-start. Bolton had a great line chase, secured the ball and from the ensuing ruck Will Bate went over for a score. Louis Lockett added the conversion. In the twelfth minute, Bolton were on the scoreboard again when Louis Locket kicked a forty-metre penalty. In the thirty-eighth minute Manchester scored a try from a charged down kick close to Bolton’s line. In the last minute of the half Manchester were awarded a penalty for offside, which they converted. Bolton were very much in the match and had played some very good rugby in both attack and defence.

Half-time score Manchester 15 Bolton 10

Bolton started the second half in fine style and in the fiftieth minute Josh Holmes scored a great try which Jack Robinson converted. Bolton added another try in the sixty-eighth minute. A quick penalty was taken by Will Bate and the re-cycled ball allowed Kieran Shacklock to score in the corner. At this stage of the game Bolton led twenty-two points to Fifteen. Manchester, throughout the game, put Bolton’s scrum under pressure and Bolton were finding it hard to get the ball. A good clean break by Josh Holmes put himself into space and with Alex Waddicar in support it looked like another try was on the cards, but unfortunately the chance went a begging with just the fullback to beat - it was a pivotal point in the game. Manchester converted a penalty in the seventy-seventh minute. From the re-start they scored a good individual try and added the conversion. Manchester then scored two more tries to seal their victory.

Full -time score: Manchester 35 Bolton 22

Manchester came out on top on this inaugural fixture. It was an evenly matched game until the last few minutes. Bolton’s defence was very good, and they turned over the ball well. Both the forwards and the backs created quite a few chances throughout the match but the accuracy in finishing could have been better. Bolton can take quite a few positives into next week’s fixture.

Man of the Match: Will Bate