Under 14's Scrape through to Semi finals in the Junior Challenge

Bolton were matched against a strong Rossendale side at home in this Blackstick Blue Junior Challenge quarter final game.
Bolton had home advantage and the pitch was in good condition and were out to avenge Rossendale after their defeat away.
Both teams came out of the blocks eager to win the game and were well matched. Most of the play was in the middle third of the pitch for the first ten minutes except Bolton had a couple of penalties in kicking range but decided to run the penalties instead. However Rossendale's strong defence was not breached, Dan Southworth came close but appeared to drop the ball en route.Bolton began to get the upper hand in the ruck area with outstanding performances from all the forwards namely Alfie Kay,Tom Crook,Paddy Hunter,Matty Moore,Cameron Richardson,Alex Ramwell,Morgan Skeels-Caldwell and Dan Southworth.
Tackling was immense from the home side which was just as well as Rossendale had some excellent strong runners. Several handling errors crept into Bolton's game but Joe Fraser-Taylor playing his first game for the Club at outside centre was putting some good tackles in.
However with 5 minutes to go to half time Rossendale broke the deadlock with an excellent try made by their strong running number 6 R.Tighe.He picked up the ball ran across the pitch drew two defenders and popped the ball out to two waiting Rossendale players for them to combine and score an unconverted try just before the whistle.Half time 0v5.
One change was made at half time with Fraser-Taylor having to go off to attend a Christening and Ben Turner coming on at 10 pushing the Grundy twins back out to centre.
Although 0 v 5 down Bolton still piled on the pressure and they knew that the game wasn't yet over. Ten minutes into the second half and Ben Turner spotted space on the wing and chipped the ball forward with Kier Kernick in hot pursuit. Kier gathered the ball and ran a try in under the posts but nerves got the better of Zak Grundy who missed the conversion.Score 5 v 5.
Rossendale came back at Bolton as Bolton started to concede penalties one of which was converted making the score 5 v 8.
Bolton were now desperate to score and threw everything at Rossendale but their defence held strong,neither side was going to give. Bolton had a string of penalties as Rossendale seemed to tire. A rehearsed penalty move didn't breach the defence.A conversion was no good to the home side as that would have meant the away side would win. With 7 minutes to go Dan Southworth playing at 8 seized the opportunity to go over from close range.In the ensuing melee the away team disputed the try but the referee Mr Gore who had been excellent throughout was close at hand to award the try.
The score now 10 v 8 to the home side after the try was again unconverted. The next 6 minutes was heart stopping for both sets of players, parents and coaches alike as both teams battled to win the game but as the final whistle went it was the home team players,parents and coaches who were jubilant.Commiserations to Rossendale it was a great spectacle and a shame that one side had to lose this epic encounter. Rossendale were gratious in defeat however.This was by far the best game seen at this age group all season.
Pick of the players were Alfie Kay and Tom Crook who both made strong runs but also worked hard in the ruck and tackle area. Morgan Skeels-Caldwell marshalled his players well, Dan Southworth always powerful with Matty Moore making some yardage.
Ben Turner kicked well out of the hand and an excellent try by Kier Kernick. The whole team played as a team and all three awards go to the whole team. Apologies to those substitutes who never made the field but I know that you understand that in tight games such as these it is very difficult to change.We now have three friendlies on the run and you will all get maximum playing time.The next round the semi final is again at home v Leigh on Sunday the 30th March.