VETS put down in tough encounter

After debating whether to charter a vessel to sail down the M62 the Mighty 2s were pleasantly surprised to find on arrival a drying pitch which played well throughout the game.

Introduction were made during the warmup with a number of new faces joining the team. Enough that veteran Taff asked if name tags could be worn next time as he no chance of remembering everyone’s name.

The game started promisingly with both teams playing some good rugby that belied the earlier conditions, throughout the game the Vets were throwing the ball around and had dangerous runners across the park. The referee managed the game and conditions well, with the new laws in place only Matt Stephens seeing a yellow card for a high tackle.

Bolton however drew first blood with some strong rucking and driving lineout play that allowed Connor Orrell to drive over from short range.
Liverpool Vets came back into the game and what followed was a fairly free flowing end to end game with Bolton edging the tight exchanges and the Vets making yards out wide. The Vets scored 2 trys to pull ahead but Bolton’s heads didn’t drop. Manny Tailor showing his range of skills played at scrum half, slightly different to his usual loose head position. Manny even had the audacity to put in a very accomplished Box Kick to complement his sniping runs from the base of the rucks.

The finest decision of the day actually happened before kick off when JP, after schmoozing up to the referee during the warm up, decided to forego his place on the bench for the returning Alex Waddicar. Waddy returning from cricket for his first game of the season came on in the second half adding experience to the back line.

With the final minutes ticking down and Bolton increasing the pressure on the try line, it was Waddy who after a number of pick and gos found himself at the back of the ruck. Happily the marathon training hasn’t taken full effect and using his bulk powered over the line, converting to draw Bolton ahead 14 -10.

Liverpool Vets played their part in a great game of rugby and with a strong set piece, great technique at the breakdown and exciting runners out wide, will have a good season ahead of them.

For Bolton the heart shown by the team, especially with several debutants to the game itself, joined by several students from Bolton University, was exceptional. Difficult to pick a man of the match, Tom Bradley handled the high ball well at full back, Adam had a cracking match at Prop and Captain Panda again led by example.

Games like this can really kickstart a season and Bolton will be looking to build against Rochdale next week.