Fylde 3XV v Bolton 2XV

With Nathan Dodd and Ian Barrows being drafted into the side. Danny Barlow also decided to take up the Michalak 10 role.

The game started brightly with Louis “ I don’t have a dummy but I’ll throw my gum shield out the pram” Critchlow taking the kick-off making several yards and breaking several tackles. A few phases later resulted in what was to be typical of the match with Bolton giving away a sloppy penalty after losing concentration.

Fylde took the following penalty but the ball fell short only too bounce between several of the Bolton players with a Fylde player to swoop under the Bolton noses to score the first try of the match Score 7-0.

Bolton responded positively with a few encouraging words from Paul “Mr motivator” Sutcliffe, Bolton camped in the opponents half with the only Fylde outlet being the Fylde’s 15 boot to get them out of trouble. Bolton still managed to launch several counter attacks and started to dominate the set pieces, with Jay “I like the world of world craft…no seriously” Cheetham winning every lineout ball, Bolton started to gain momentum resulting in a dominant scrum being pushed over the whitewash Conversion missed 7-5.

Some good phase play saw James “I’ll kick the ball on the volley back toward my own tryline” Timms through a reverse pass for Tom “May have Knocked on once” Relph to run down the line only to run out of gas.

Despite Bolton dominating the scrum and lineouts with penalties crept into Bolton’s game with another Fylde penalty taken by the no.15.

Half-time 10-5 On came Singy, Wignall and Evans for Barlow, Timms, Dodd

Bolton started the second half brightly and Chris “who knew props actually kicked” turner further dominated the scrums giving Rob Terry secure ball to feel Mike “I dunno if you know but I did the iron man merely for a t-shirt” Singleton who gave Bolton an attacking edge in the backs, with Pete “ Murtagh” Marriott and tom lee making hard yards against the opposition back line.

The pressure told with Tom Relph burrowing through the Fylde defence culminating with Louis Critchlow breaking the game line and going over the whitewash. The conversion missed by Terry.

Bolton determined not to be pinned back put more pressure on the Fylde defence resulting with their no. 5 being sent to the bin. Bolton knew they had a shot at a win, if it not had been for some poor handling Bolton would have gone over the whitewash.

Bolton could not make the extra man count. A lack of concentration from a quick Fylde Penalty, Fylde ran in a try and scored. Bolton deflated, couldn’t get their

heads back in the game. With the referee making matter worse with confusing both team at a quick lineout, and not sending a Fylde player off for shouting “F#ck off Ref!” at the ref. Bolton let another Fylde try over.

Before Bolton could respond the ref gave another dubious decision stating Stu” I never touched his toe” Evans had stood on somebody’s toe giving a penalty instead of letting the Bolton backs run back at the Fylde defence.

A match that could have been won, was lost by stupid errors and a lack of concentration cost Bolton the game.

Final score 20-12.

MoM – Jay Cheetham/Rob Terry

The spitting dummies Rugrats award – Louis Critchlow

The Agent Relph award – Mike Singleton (you know what you did!)

The Nobel Prize for Gamesmanship – Paul Sutcliffe (allowing Fylde to remain with 15 instead of 14.)

The giving an overlap away due a drop Goal award – Danny Barlow