Bolton 2s hosted top of the league Southport, straight from the kick-off Alex ‘Panda’ Charnock was in the thick of it with a big tackle but as per usual was left on the floor and forced to be subbed off, replacement Dan McMenamin came into the fold at 2nd row a position unknown to him. From the next scrum Southport managed to go to the blindside and take advantage of the Bolton’s defence being asleep and not reading the play, they shipped the ball to the winger who scored, kick converted making it 0-7 to the visitors. All within the first 5 mins, not the start Bolton wanted. The curse of the penalty wasn’t helping Bolton get any field position or any kind of rhythm going forward and it was another penalty when Bolton’s defence once again were penalised for offside from a goal line drop out, which resulted in Southport taking a quick tap 5 meters out from the line to force themselves over for a try and this was converted to make it 0-14 to Southport after only 10 minutes played.

After words behind the sticks, it appeared Bolton were getting their structure together and this was led by Kieran Lockett who started to get the forwards to work as a unit by moving them up the field phase by phase and forcing the Southport pack back and gaining field position in Southport’s 22. This allowed Danny Royle to pinpoint a kick into the corner for Josh Lincoln to score in the corner which was converted by Daryl Devlin from the touchline reducing the score by 7. This seemed to get Bolton’s tails up as they grew in confidence & straight from the kick-off skipper Steven Harrison collected the ball to gain some good yards setting the platform for the Harry Dawber, Sam Hilton and Zack Doogan who started to carry well and gain meters up the field. On the back of the forwards good work by twinkle toes Manny Tailor stepped in to help set the platform for the next try as he received the ball 30 meters out from the line, he managed to beat a few players with his goose like steps which created space and time for Danny Royle to make a break to get Bolton within 5 meters of the Southport line. Quick thinking from Dan McMenamin at the back of the breakdown allowed him to dive over for his 1st senior try and Bolton’s 2nd of the game which was converted by Daryl Devlin to make it 14-14. With only 5 minutes to go before half time Southport decided they didn’t want to go into the break 14 apiece, so from the kick-off they managed to get the ball free from the attacking Bolton line and broke down the centre of the field but the scrambling Bolton defence couldn’t stop them from scoring and with the conversion it was 21-14 to the away team. But this wouldn’t be the last action of the game because on the stroke of half time Daryl Devlin produced a try saving tackle after Southport broke down the left-hand side after the Bolton defence switched off.

The 2nd half begin well for Bolton with the forwards carrying well once again and getting through the phases and gaining field position but still couldn’t penetrate the Southport line despite pinning them there a few times but again penalties were Bolton’s down fall and allowed Southport to get up the field and ease the pressure from them on their own line. It was time for the Bolton’s backs to step up and help to get some points on the board, gaps out wide were starting to appear and on his senior debut Jake Rimmer managed to break the line out wide and attack the Southport full back and if it wasn’t for an unlucky bounce of the ball from his kick through he may have got his 1st senior try.
It seemed the game had become an arm wrestle now and the next try would be vital for either team, So it was time for some changes from Bolton who introduced Mike Bolton and Dave Ogilvie to the field. Strong carries from Panda & Matt Parrish helped to get Bolton into the Southport 22 once again and give the backs to the opportunity to spread the ball out but this wasn’t the case as the next play was knocked on by Lee Murphy from the “bullet pass” from Danny Royle and opportunity lost.

With less than 15 to go and despite strong carries from Patrick Hargreaves & Mike Bolton, Bolton couldn’t break Southport’s line. Injuries to both Tom Bradley & Kieran Lockett meant positional changes for Bolton and this seemed to help take pressure off the Southport team as the Bolton pack had been strong in the scrums all game. But the changes seemed to catch Bolton cold as Southport managed to ship the ball along the line for the winger to break down the left side and run in to extend their lead, conversion missed making it 26-14. Bolton’s heads seems to be falling now as Southport ran in a further 2 tries in quick succession but missed kicks meant they would increase the lead to 36-14. With 10 mins left on the clock Bolton were not going down without a fight and this was shown in the lineouts as Zack Doogan won the next 4 to help Bolton gain advantage and it was proving worthwhile as from a line-out Bolton took the ball down and started to move the Southport pack back towards the line where Matt Parrish found himself within 5 meters of the line with no one in front of him, which isn’t the normal situation he finds himself in during a match ! He placed the ball down giving Bolton the last try of the game and it was fitting really, as Matt was voted MOM by Southport for his strong carries and never give up attitude. The conversion from Daryl Devlin hit the upright and this was the last action of the game meaning the game ended Bolton 19 - 36 Southport.

Overall a frustrating game for Bolton who at times played some good rugby but lack of defence pressure cost dearly, with the points going to Southport.

More pictures at: https://www.boltonrugby.co.uk/photos/150yr-matches-2nd-1004563.html