The U12s keep improving...

With several senior players out with other commitments, it was all change for the under 12's and another chance for the new boys to step in and face a well drilled and confident Eccles side.

With Jude Hill making his competitive debut as scrum half, Ben Harrop learning his rugby on the wing for his third full week, and George Whitehead making his long awaited debut at prop, the game was always going to be interesting.

There was panic in the camp as the diversion of Josh Podmore to Eccles and his last minute arrival prevented scrum and line out work for the pack.

Eccles soon showed Bolton they meant business, and scored a soft try within minutes. As the bolton boys were still acting like it was a training session Eccles pressed with some good handling and almost scored a second, but Jaime Lambert intercepted a floated pass to run down the wing and score a long range try.

In all, quick ball by the backs to the wing helped Jaime score a hat rick of tries. His speed down the wing whilst tracking the touch line enabled Jaime to score unopposed for tries one and two, but for his third he had to work harder by stepping inside and flat footing the opposition.

Bolton pressed home their advantage, while never managing to overpower a determined Eccles back row and half backs. Myles Garth was a continuous threat with his pace and power, but Eccles scrambled well and limited him to a brace of tries by sheer power and a strong outside break.

As with Jaime's tries, Myles benefited from quick clean ball by scrumhalf Alastair Harris at the break down, with quick hands from Joe Webster and Jake Rimmer providing space for him to break and attack.

Eccles scored mid way through the game and again at the end, but the rest of the tries were from Lewis Picton Tom Simpson, and debut boy George Whitehead.

As usual Lewis Picton, showed tenacity and ability to split the opposition in centre field, making solid gains each time he was presented with the ball.

Tom Simpson's try was a pick up and crash over the line, taking about three Eccles players with him and showing some real strength in the drive.

The try of the day was definitely by George, he just powered his way through the Eccles defence bouncing players and taking players with him for yards at a time. Eventually he burst free, and finished with a dive over the line and a wide grin on his cherubic face. He brought a new emphasis to the word "bulldozer".

So another promising game from the boys, the October starters are now settling in well, and the November starters won't be far behind.

Team selection next week when everyone's back will be tough.....