Under 12's Match report 7th March 2010

Bolton Under 12s arrived at LSH with a much changed side from their last run out four weeks ago. Due to injuries and illness, Maria deciding to hang up her boots and Rob concentrating on cricket for the rest of the season it meant we were missing 7 regulars, however, with Ellis Dixon and David Warren making their debuts we still managed to assemble 11 players to face an LSH outfit that had defeated us quite comprehensively just before Christmas. We must say a large THANK YOU to LSH to agreeing to play an 11-a-side game when they had 14 players to choose from.

Unfortunately, as the game kicked off Bolton looked like they were still trying to find the pitch and LSH ran out to a 17-0 lead with three quick tries. But these days the Bolton lads are made of sterner stuff and after a stirring team talk by Tom Hill the team rolled up their collective sleeves and began to play.

From a penalty Joey Gore put coach Jonathan Hill’s master plan into action. He dummied a flying Tom and fed a rampaging Wills Brindle who burst through the LSH defensive line and stormed over the try line for his first ever 5 pointer which Tom rapidly converted into 7. From the kick off Josh Holmes fielded the rolling ball and whilst the LSH side were still recovering from Wills’ “rumble” chipped over the onrushing defence, recovered his kick and raced into the corner. Tom once more chipped over the conversion to make the score 17-14. Brilliant Josh!!!!

LSH did not lie down and a superb virtuoso run down their right wing extended their lead by a further 5 points. David, however, snuffed out any further breaks down this flank and a series of excellent one on one tackles resulted in him receiving the Top Tackler award on his first game in a Bolton shirt. Meanwhile, Tom was running rampant and Firth Lord was leaving scorch marks on the few bits of grass with some searing runs. Up front Ellis was starting to show some real potential whilst Sam Trueman, Joseph Partington, Tom and Wills brought the LSH juggernaut to a resounding stop. With a terrier like Harry Stocks cutting off most of the supply of ball at Scrum Half and Josh, David, Nat and Firth tackling like tigers the LSH backs fared little better and Bolton started to come back into the game.

All our recent ruck and maul practices started to pay dividends as more and more ball was stolen in contact and then recycled time and again to build telling attacks. Against this back drop Josh once more stormed over to make the half time score 22-21.

The second half was much more of a tight contest with both sides playing some good rugby. It was great to see just how well the team played together and how focused they were. It was well deserved that Josh picked up his hat-trick to put Bolton ahead mid way through the half. Joey pressurised the LSH Stand Off who threw a hopeful pass that Josh snaffled to race over the line and cement his Man of the Match performance. For the remaining 10 minutes all the team attacked with vigour and defended stoutly with Nat Hill really catching the eye with tackle after tackle. In fact the LSH left winger and centre must have finished the game bruised and battered.

Unfortunately the guys couldn’t quite hold on for a win and LSH crashed over from a 5m penalty to steal the win in the dying embers of the game. Though the lads still managed to make the final few seconds full of tension for the home outfit.

Not only did the boys play their game of the season they remained extremely sporting despite a few dubious tackles and one or two strong arm tactics. At the final whistle captain Josh led the cheers for the LSH side and made sure that every LSH hand was shaken and the referee thanked.

The coaching team and watching parents all were really proud of such an excellent performance and none of us can wait for our next game. Everyone of the team should be immensely proud of their performance today and it was superb to watch them leave the field with their heads held high and walking 10 feet tall.

Well done one and all; you all made the day one to remember. Keep it going guys you were absolutely superb and a credit to the club.