BOLTON Under-18s finished their junior careers in style by winning the League Shield.

But it a nervous ending to their final game as they edged the final against Tarleton 18-15 at Lymm Rugby Club.

Many of the team had played together for more than a decade and lifting the League Shield trophy was the perfect finish before they go up to senior rugby.

It has been a memorable season for the team who began the season struggling to field 15 players.

They recruited new blood – some of whom had never previously played the game – and the coaching staff worked successfully to combine them and the team's core of experienced players into an effective unit.

The final was always going to be a challenge for Bolton against a Tarleton team who had won their semi-final easily and had an England Counties player in their side.

Bolton were without the injured Sam Smith and Will French and the degree of dificulty increased early in the game when Tarleton took a 5-0 lead.

Bolton hit back and were awarded a penalty from which David Price kicked cleanly through the posts to make the score 5-3.

A strong tackle by Jonny Wallis saw Bolton regain the ball, Harvey Banks, Ben Nicholson and Callum Naylor made good ground before Tom Evans flicked the ball out to Jamie Currie who charged forward and passed to Adam Hackin who sprinted over the line.

Price converted to put Bolton 10-5 ahead.

The lead lasted until just before the interval when Tarleton scored their second try to even the score.

An equally even second half began with excellent tackling by Paddy Uzoka and Lewis Rostron keeping the attacking Tarleton at bay before the local lads camped in the opposition's half for 20 minutes.

George Lilleywhite made some great runs, and was always a safe pair of hands under a high ball. Nathan Collins' strength and speed kept gaining ground and Tom Heatherington put in some great tackles.

Tarleton resisted Bolton's advances and just when it seemed the Avenue Street team might not find a way through Tarleton made an error and gave away a penalty.

Price stepped up and put the ball between the posts to put Bolton 13-10 in front.

The three-point margin in Bolton favour became eight when Sam Humpreys passed the ball out to Joe Carter whose speed and agility took Tarleton by surprise and he skilfully side-stepped the defence to charge over the line for a fantastic try.

Tarleton were not finished yet, though, and an unconverted try brought them within three points of Bolton who held out to cap their careers with a trophy.