Under 12's Match report

We started slowly against a large Southport outfit and the guys soon found themselves a score down. However, the team showed real heart and buoyed on by great runs by Tom Hill and superb tackles from Josh Holmes and Cass they deservedly drew level after with a determined drive from Stand Off Josh; as is his want, Tom tacked on the conversion without a care. The rest of the half was fairly close but the big Southport runners were the difference and the half closed with the guys 26-7 down.
After patching up both Cass and Josh and half time the team went out for the second period with fire in their bellies and desire in their hearts and put in probably the best display of the season so far.
Up front Jordan Ashton was immense and he had great support from William Brindle in only his second game. Nat Hill, showed both his versatility and his growing array of skills by making a complete nuisance of himself at hooker. At Number 8 Joey Gore flew into tackle after tackle and made some good runs and linked well between backs and forwards. However, the stars were in the second row where Tom Hill and Sam Trueman really shone and for his excellent all round performance Sam took away our brand new Player of the Match award. In the backs Matt King and Maria Parkinson were excellent on the wings where both made telling breaks and covering tackles. In the centres Dylan Hibbert played out of his skin and both he and Cass knocked over just about everything that moved and also ran with speed and determination. At half back Harry Stocks and Josh Holmes took the game by the scruff of the neck and really dominated the show! Whilst at Full Back Joe Hill played the game of his life; not only did he score after a mazy 40m break but he put in two copy book tackles to down the Southport “Juggernaut” in full flight. A performance that demanded and received the Top Tackler trophy.
Tom crashed over for Bolton’s other score of the period and the second half score sheet read 14 all. However, Bolton looked the better side and only some stout goal line defence from Southport kept Tom, Joey, Cass and Josh from adding to the total.
All-in-all, an excellent performance and one that all 13 should be extremely proud of. It was great to see Cass play so well in his first run out in a Bolton shirt and also very gratifying to see just how well Maria, Matt, Dylan, William, Harry and the rest are improving with every game.
Well done guys, have a great half term and we’ll see you next Sunday for a trip to Aldwinians when we hope to have a full side to choose from and that Firth Lord feels well enough to play.

Finally, thanks to all the parents for making the long trip to Southport and for supporting their boys and girl so generously.