Hard graft at Tarleton

Despite the floods in Bolton, the sun shone briefly on the under 12's at Tarleton, with Preston making up another three way against the boys. Due to the large squad, we agreed to play second and third while Tarleton were victorious in a close fought victory in the opener against Preston.

As the rain started Bolton took the field and looked forwards to building on recent wins. The forwards started well, giving clean ball to the half backs and Myles Garth scored a simple try after a sneaky switch and overhead pass from Jake Rimmer, with his height making it a simple take and smash over the line.

Bolton kept in pressing the Tarleton line, but a deflated ball and driving rain caused some unforced errors and typically their opponents capitalised on this to score against the run of play. With moaning and groaning reminiscent of a grizzly bear in labour, the Bolton boys regressed and soon a series of basic errors resulted in another try and a 2-1 deficit to Bolton.

A few stern words, and normal service resumed. Jake Rimmer again broke left and put Myles away, only for a penalty to be awarded for a hand off. Half time came and a few substitutions were made, with several boys feeling the effects of a late night session paint balling and the flu epidemic sweeping through the team. Bereft of two centres and with the wingers snuffling, Bolton fielded joe Webster and James Harris in the backs, which certainly added some muscle if not elegance and flair.

Bolton were camped on the Tarleton line for the majority of the half, and two tries were adjudged to be held up over the line. Finally the inevitable happened and Jude Hill fed a simple ball to Jake, who whipped out a double miss pass to Myles and the game was level. So first game over, a 2-2 draw in the bag and lessons learnt about losing concentration being hammered home.

Next up were Preston, who had taken shelter from the elements, and who maybe should have looked at the Bolton forward dominance more closely prior to taking the field. From the kick off Ethan Greenwood, Lewis Picton and Sean Carragher harried and drove the preston boys back with strong tackling and a relentless commitment in the loose. A strong drive over the line by Picton was the first score and the intensity was building. From the kick off, Myles was deemed to have handed off again so Preston lined up ready to launch their mighty forwards over the Bolton line. Nice try ...... but they obviously forgot about the mighty Sean Carragher. The sight of Sean hitting low, and driving the largest player on the opposition upwards and backwards five yards was the final nail in the coffin for the forward competition.

After a short break, Preston were awarded the scrum, but George Whitehead redressed the reffing error by stealing the ball at the scrum and Josh Padmore broke away and crashed downfield with half of the Preston pack hanging off his back, supported by George, Tom Simpson and the rest of the forwards. No Stopping Josh from the next ruck, and he barged three players out of the way, only to gently place the ball over the line and extend the lead.

From the kick off, Preston managed to pressurise Lawson Bates on the line and Lawson looked to the welcoming bosom of his forwards to get him out of trouble. Glad to oblige Ethan and Sean secured the ball and started a 40 yard drive down the field at real pace. When things finally slowed down, George broke open, and with a grin like a Cheshire Cat, managed to break free and hurtle for the line. No swallow dive finish today though, and he was stopped short for the third time in two weeks. Pressure told and try machine Garth finished a hat trick off in his usual way.

On the whistle of half time, George was held up again, and with the storm clouds brewing, Preston conceded the final session, leaving Tom Platt, Oliver McKeown and Connah Mansfiled growling at a missed opportunity to join the fray.

Man of the match to Sean for that tackle......