Back down to Earth with a Bump

After last weeks stirring victory, Bolton u14s were brought down to Earth with a bump. Confidence high, Bolton took to the field against Leigh although preparations were disrupted with influential prop Bailey Howlin failing a late fitness test and within two minutes Bolton were under the posts following a superb piece of rugby from the hosts. This was to be the story for the first half as the Bolton boys had no answer to the swift handling, strong running and superb recycling of this Leigh team. For most of the half Bolton were simply chasing shadows, leaving Tim Greenwood and Addison Kennedy on the wings facing 2 or 3 attackers. Although Bolton were competing well at scrums and lineouts they were simply turned over at every breakdown leaving the Cherry and Whites trailing 56-0 at the break. Further bad news when the impressive Oliver Lambert had to leave the field with a knee injury.

Second half started in a similar vein with a very quick score for Leigh but this sparked Bolton into life. Keeping the ball tight, the Bolton forwards marched through the heart of the Leigh defence, picking and driving, hard yard after hard yard, first Callam McGaughey, then Ibrahim Dipoti, Harry Moxham and finally Josh Aspinwall driving through for a Bolton score converted by Marcus Crompton. From the kick off Bolton were straight back on the attack with Ed Webster catching and driving into the Leigh forwards, Bradley Martin was on hand with Myles Crook and Benji Williamson to create quick ruck ball, Robert Harris passed to Jack Phillips who found Kynan Smith in space, Kynan drew the last defender and passed to Josh Parry who sprinted clear of the defence for a great try. Leigh responded with two more before Addision Kennedy took a short ball from scrum half Sam Howie, Owen Critchlow drove on but was stopped just short but Luke Bagnall was on hand to power over for another Bolton score. Leigh deservedly finished the match with yet another try which left the overall match score 82 – 17 but the second half score a much more respectable 26-17.

Picture shows Josh Parry setting off on his try scoring run supported by Kynan Smith