Bolton win at Rossendale

Bolton Rugby Under 14's traveled to a cold and windy Rossendale for the semi of the Blacksticks Blue Vase competition. Previous meetings between these teams were close matches and the Cherry and Whites of Bolton made a perfect start with aggressive tackling from the Bolton pack leading to Boltons number 8 Jack Byrne crashing through the game line and setting up flanker Jordan Griffiths for the first try of the match, converted by Jos Winstanley. From the restart Bolton forwards again put Rossendale under intense pressure,scrum half Jamie Price spinning a quick ball to the centres of Jos Winstanley, Alex Tonge, and James Holland who all made good ground releasing the ball fluidly and quickly to setup winger Joe Brookes with his two tries.
Relentless Bolton pressure resulted in a loose kick from Rossendale trying to clear from their own try line and Boltons opposite winger Nat May pounced on the ball to power over the line. Bolton were running rampant and only desperate defending by Rossendale stemmed the onslaught. Rossendale managed to get a hold in the match and excert pressure on the Bolton try line near the end of the first half but resolute defending and crunching tackling from Brandon Booth, Joe Mack, Charlie May and Joe Mchugh saw the half time score 22-0 to Bolton. Rossendale didn't roll over and fought back hard in the second half scoring one breakaway try and another at the end of the match to give a final score of 22-12 to Bolton.