Bolton 2XV - 57, Sedgley Park 3XV - 0

The team arrived in the usual manner of dribs and drabs with Captain Keech back at the helm after a weekend of indulgence. The return of Mark 'knock on' Townsend to hooker (after much grovelling), Singleton replacing Olly Relph (who was attending a Paloma Faith concert), Jamie Timms stepping in for Murtagh on the wing and Gaz Flounders replacing the injured Pete Brogan. Special mention goes to Gaz for getting out of bed to play.

Coach Marriott and Cheese and Onion Pie fanatic John Keech couldn’t have made it plainer to the team that nothing but a win would do if the team were still to gain that coveted 2nd place promotion spot.

Focused and determined Bolton received the kick off and began making yards up the field. However loose handling and a lack of concentration at key moments, meant Bolton kept squandering good breaking play from various individuals notably Ben Stubbs who had a fruitful afternoon picking up at the base of the scrum and making yards.

Finally after some strong running and quick hands released chubby resident DJ's third assistant Ryan Wignall down the wing to outpace the opposition winger and full back to score the first try of the match. Conversion slotted by Terry.

Sedgley came back at Bolton but solid all round defence and the dependable boot from prop-lookalike Chris Turner kept Bolton in a good position despite not having much of the ball. Another break by Singleton saw him score underneath the posts, again slotted by Terry.

Sedgley again came back at Bolton but good returns from Gaz flounders, and Joe Smith saw Sedgely consistently pegged back. A kick up field with a good chase by Jamie Timms, saw Tom Relph steal a turn over ball at the break down and run the remainder of the field to score in the corner. Conversion missed by Terry

Half Time Bolton 19- Sedgley 0

Half time rallies were made by Coach Marriott and Captain Keech, who shouted loud and clear to keep the performance levels high and points difference was now a key factor in the promotion push.

The second half kicked off and saw a revived Sedgley Park attack the Bolton defence, with commanding driving mauls that Bolton struggled to keep at bay. The first 10-15 mins of the second half saw Bolton camped resolutely on their own try line.

After 15mins, the ref, gave a penalty to the visitors for an infringement at the maul for which created some mass confusion as Sedgely thought a penalty try had been awarded, and began marching back to half way line only to be called back by the ref to say it was only a pen. This confusion and release of pressure allowed Bolton to take advantage of the subsequent lineout and clear there lines.

From the clearance lineout a loose ball was picked up by Tom Relph who miraculously managed to avoid immediately dropping it and darted his way through the Sedgley defence avoiding a trip tackle along the way to score underneath the posts. Conversion by Terry.

This seemed to sap the energy out of Sedgley - that and seeing the substitution of resident man of glass Rick Sandbrook entering the fray from a long injury lay-off after pulling his hamstring walking through airport security. Sandbrook managed to walk almost to the halfway line before spraining his ankle and immediately being removed from the field of play, instead being replaced with a watching under 8's player who provided a more noticeable impact.

The last 20 minutes saw Bolton score several break away tries with Gaz Flounder sprinting down the line from his own 22. (Gaz obviously saw a bottle of VK Apple on the opposition try line.) and Manny Tailor taking the setting literally and majestically crossing the sun burnt turf like a rampant wild wilderbeast in search of a watering hole.

The final score Bolton 2XV 57 – Sedgley 3XV 0

Bolton’s next game is at league leaders Preston, with Bolton knowing only a win will give them a shot at Promotion. If Bolton can re-produce the rugby shown in this match, then they are in with a fighting chance.

M.O.M – Gaz Flounders.