Match Report under 12's 4th Oct 2009

There have been quite a few changes in personnel over the summer and U12s kicked off with two players making their debuts for the team and several players in new positions.
From the kick off the big Bury forwards ran hard and straight and certainly knocked a lot of rustiness out of the Bolton team’s tackling, unfortunately by the time the guys were on their mettle we were four scores down.
Full back Joe and stand off Josh really started Bolton’s season with first some excellent cover tackling and Joe brightened everyone’s spirits with a superb run and touch down in the corner. Tom converted to make the half time score 31-7.
The second half was a much closer affair with end to end rugby being the order of the day. Both sides attacked with gusto and defended stoutly. In the pack Nathan was outstanding with his defence and several Bury forwards must be having nightmares reliving the way he picked off their runs from penalties.
Bolton more than held their own throughout the second half and Tom crashed over in the corner with Maria in close support after another excellent run by Joe and first class back row play from Joey to transfer the ball across the field. Mr Reliable, Tom, again slotted the conversion with ease. Bury came back at the Bolton outfit but resolute defence kept them to just two scores. Sadly Bury popped over for a break away try in the last second as Bolton looked for all the world that they were about to even up the second half scoring.
Both Matt and Matthew showed real promise in their first games in a Bolton shirt and though everyone gave their all and played some great rugby at times Joe and Josh deserve special mention and their Man of the Match and Top Tackler awards respectively. Dylan’s second half tackling ran Josh close for his award and the all round play and determination of Nat, Tom, Joey and Firth caught the coach’s eye. Maria ran strongly when given the chance, Harry distributed the ball well from Scrum Half and Jordan, Sam and Faraaz’s work in both the tight and loose recycled ball after ball for the team.
All in all a good first run out with some real improvements and areas of promise to build on for the visit of Heaton Moor next Sunday.