Bolton Colts get season off to a flying start

Bolton Colts v Clitheroe Colts
North West Colts League

15th September 2019
Avenue Street Bolton
Weather Overcast

Final Score Bolton 57 Clitheroe 0

Scorers:
Tries: Josh Parry (x2), Tom Didlock (x2), Miles Crook, Sam Howie, Marcus Crompton, Lewis Picton, Owen Critchlow
Conversions: Robert Harris (x5), Sam Howie

The curtain raiser for Bolton Rugby Colts’ season was a home league tie with Clitheroe with a near full strength squad putting on a show for the spectators with lovely passing Rugby and racking up 57 points without reply.

After a lively opening spell, the scoring was opened by the ever-reliable Josh Parry who shook off two tackles and used his speed to touch down under the posts. Robert Harris converted well, the first of no less than five conversions from his boot.

On 15 minutes, the lead was doubled when Miles Crook touched over having received the ball after a surging run from captain Marcus Crompton. Bolton by now were becoming unstoppable and a fine piece of counter rucking resulted in Tom Didlock opening his account for the season on 21 minutes. Five minutes later Crompton again pressed for the Clitheroe line, and although stopped short , using his long arm reach to plant the ball on the line.

On 33 minutes, Clitheroe’s attack broke down on the Bolton 5 metre line and Parry received the ball and ran the length of the pitch to secure his brace.

There was still time for Sam Howie to score once more to leave Bolton 40 points up at the break.

Clitheroe emerged for the second half determined to stem the flow and their defence became more organised in that period, but tries from Lewis Picton and Owen Critchlow put the game far beyond their reach, before Didlock scored his second try with the last play of the game.

In all, it was a bravura performance from a Bolton Colts side that on this showing will be a good match for anyone in the division this season and an entertaining watch for their followers.