For the final league game of the season, Bolton turned up excited to be finally playing a match at home after the recent poor weather and cancellations. The lack of rugby didn’t show as Bolton were straight on the front foot dominating the opening exchanges with Addison Kennedy combining well with centres Regan Brown and Issac Prescott to open up the Trafford defence. Good recycling from Ibrahim Dipoti and Bailey Howlin gave Oliver Lambert the chance to keep the attack going. With Bolton streaming forward, Trafford strayed offside giving Bolton a penalty on the 22. Robert Harris fed on to Callam McGaughey who pulled the defenders away and popped a lovely pass to Josh Parry who sprinted clear for the opening score. From the kick off, Bolton once again took the game straight back into the Trafford half, Jack Phillips using his forwards to good effect, Ed Webster putting in a huge shift with Benji Williamson in the second row, Myles Crook and Bradley Martin making their presence felt in the rucks, Trafford couldn’t get near the ball as Bolton controlled every breakdown and just marched upfield. Marcus Crompton looked as though he had broken through for the second score but was held up just short but Owen Critchlow was on hand for the second score. Bolton continued to attack but couldn’t add any more to leave the score at half time Bolton 10, Trafford Metrovics 0.
Bolton knew another score would probably see the game finished but Trafford had other ideas. The half time talk had clearly fired up the opposition boys who came out for the second half all guns blazing. Huge tackles from Tim Greenwood and Matthew Jones kept them at bay but they wouldn’t be denied with superb handling, the Trafford winger crashed through for a converted try. A deep kick off from Harris should have given Bolton territory but a weak chase and poor first tackle meant the impressive Trafford centre was able to break clear and sprinted 50m before the impressive Harry Moxham got back to make the cover tackle. Again it was Trafford who made the breakdown first and quick recycled ball, with an overlap begging only a superb tackle from the ever reliable Kynan Smith kept them at bay. Trafford were now fully in the ascendancy, dominating the forwards and a tiring Bolton allowed Trafford another converted score which left a stunned Bolton trailing with 10 minutes to go. In the past this would probably have been it but the Bolton boys steeled themselves. From the kick off, a great tackle from Lewis Warburton pinned Trafford in the 22 and Bolton streamed into the attack and Josh Aspinwall forced a turnover and Bolton had a chance. Heroic defence from Trafford stopped attack after attack and when Callam McGaughey was forced into touch just short it looked like that could be it. From the line out, Bolton stole possession and captain Marcus Crompton was on hand to barge over for the score. With just minutes remaining, Trafford threw everything at Bolton but the Bolton resolve just held out for a dramatic victory in a great game
Bolton 15, Trafford Metrovics 14