Orrell made the short trip over Bolton, the weather was perfect for a game of Autumnal rugby between the two Lancashire sides.

Both teams joined in a minute’s silence before the game for Dave Roberts, Bolton’s fly half who had gone radio silent since 13:05. With this last-minute change, Gaz Hessian stepped up from full back to fly half and Manny Tailor - Bolton’s prop winger - came up from the bench to start on the wing.

Head coach Rawlinson’s bold strategy of selecting 11 forwards in the match day squad of 16 under scrutiny before the match had begun, let’s see how it plays out…

Bolton started slow and conceded a penalty which Orrell’s reliable place kicker converted to take a 3 – 0 lead. 10 minutes later, after a driving maul from a line out 10 metres out, Orrell scored the first try of the day, which was converted. Bolton now 10 points down after 15 minutes played. Bolton’s penalty count was becoming an issue and they needed a reaction.

The following passage of play saw Bolton pile on the pressure, the Orrell defence was strong, but momentum was building. The only thing which could stop the Bolton attack was Young Tom Evans getting in the way of one of Will Bate’s 50mph passes. A discussion was had between Tom and Will Bate and the outcome was ‘Tom must do better’. Knock on and Orrell were able to clear their lines.

This did seem to wake Bolton up, a bit more possession and some strong running from Paul Leigh and Miracle Gospel gave Bolton front foot ball and from a ruck 5 metres out, scrum half Will Bate spotted the gap and scampered over to score. The conversion attempt missed by Jonny Wallis who blamed the lack of grip on his socks for the poor strike. The score now 5 – 10.

The next score would go to Orrell. They played it wide from their own 22 and put a chip in down the tram lines, the bounce gods were kind to them and Orrell scored with the conversion successful taking the score to 5 – 17 with 5 minutes to play.

There was enough time left in the half for Orrell to concede a penalty in front of the posts, Captain Cottam pointed to opted for the kick at goal which Rhys Pritchard converted.

Half time score: Bolton 8 – 17 Orrell

The second half couldn’t have started better for Bolton with one of Orrell’s back rowers going to the sin bin, Bolton built momentum and took the points when on offer. Another penalty was converted by Pritchard and the score was now 11 – 17 after 60 minutes.

Bolton kept the pressure on and found themselves scrumming down 10 metres out. The forwards had a few goes themselves, before it was shipped wide to the forwards out on the wing.
The ball somehow found itself in the hands of a recognised back with Wez Harrison. He stepped inside with some work to be done, he beat another man and showed great strength to dot down for his first try in the 1st team. Rhys Pritchard converted taking the score to 18 – 17 with 15 minutes to go.

Not to be outdone, Chris Lane went to the bin for his sins (nothing to do with rugby) and Bolton went down to 14 men. Orrell applied the pressure using the boot which produced some of the weirdest things to be seen on a rugby pitch.

The first being Tom Evans, who now found himself on the wing, attempting to stop a 50 – 22 by diving full length to keep the ball in field. He was in fact nowhere near his own 22 and knocked it on anyway.

The second thing coming from Ryan McClusky on the opposite wing. Orrell put a high ball up, expertly using the sun which had now gone lower than the clouds. Rather than attempt to catch the ball, Ryan did his best impression of Colin Kaepernick and let the ball bounce off his knee and into touch. A discussion was had between Ryan and Will Bate and the outcome was ‘Ryan’s not a winger’.

This passage of play ended with Orrell taking a shot at goal. Their kicker who didn’t miss all day converted taking the score to 18 – 20, with not long to go at all.

Bolton kicked off and chased well. They found themselves in Orrell’s half mounting an attack, and with 5 minutes to go found themselves with another penalty. Pritchard stepped up and converted taking the score to 21 – 20.

With two minutes left, somehow Bolton found themselves in Orrell’s half again with a shot at goal to take the score to 24 – 20 and use up some of the precious time left on the clock. It wasn’t to be, and the kick came off the cross bar. Not one Bolton player chased it, whether this was because they backed Pritchard to convert it or they all had stitches, either way this gave Orrell one last roll of the dice and they couldn’t have come closer.

With seconds left on the clock they managed to get back up the other side of the pitch. Orrell’s centre was dragged down short of the try-line and in reaching out to place the ball lost control momentarily and knocked it on. The ref awarded Orrell a 5 metre scrum for some reason (a new law variation?) and Orrell had one final opportunity for a strike play!

They opted for the cross field kick to their nippy winger who’d ran it back all day with intent. Fortunately for Bolton it went out on the full bringing an end to proceedings.

Final Score Bolton 21 – 20 Orrell.

A great game between two well matched sides, as the score line suggests. Bolton showed good grit to come back with lads stepping up all over the park.

MOTM: Will Bate