AFTER conceding the opening try within seconds of the kick-off Bolton under-15s missed out on a place in the cup final, losing their semi-final against Orrell 28-15.

With a number of players out through injury or holidays it was always going to be a tough game against a side who finished unbeaten in League Three and, within a minute of the kick off Orrell took the lead with a soft try after some poor defending by Bolton.

This was followed shortly by a second Orrell try and it looked like Bolton were in for a long, hard morning against a pack that looked much sharper and more aggressive at the breakdown, winning good ball for the back line to use.

Towards the end of the first half Bolton’s Connah Mansfield bulldozed over for a try to make the score 14-5 at the break.

Playing uphill in the second half Bolton came out after a strong half-time talk, and looked like they wanted to make a game of it.

However, Orrell were still dominating the ruck and creating a solid platform to feed the backs which led to a third try.

Their fourth score followed soon after, Orrell winger collecting the ball in his own half and exploiting some tired Bolton defenders.

In the last 10 minutes Bolton upped their aggression around the ruck and ran hard, leading to a 40-yard catch-and-drive from a line out which led to Lewis Picton reducing the arrears.

Myles Garth then crossed following phases of play with forwards and backs linking well but the damage had already been done.

The u10s had their first trip to Blackburn with just 11 players but came home delighted after a 16-3 win.

Their scored six tries to the hosts’ one in the first 15 minutes with effective counter-rucking, good defensive lines and strong running with the ball.

While Bolton’s intensity dropped off Blackburn stepped up to improve in the contact area and win more ball but the visitors were still able to run in 10 more scores for a final score of 16-3.

Corey Morgan finished with five tries with two each for Tom Forrest, Liam Jenkins, Jacob Collinson and Zack Taylor.

There were also tries for Jack Pollit, Oliver Brennand and Riley Bennett.

A gallant effort by Bolton’s u13s ended in a 45-10 defeat to Rossendale in the Lancashire Cup.

Though they dominated the early exchanges, losing a number of players through injury meant holes started to appear in Bolton’s defence and as a result Rossendale managed to score three times in the first half.

A fourth Rossendale try early in the second half saw Bolton heads start to drop but they rallied and showed fighting spirit to cross the line twice, Lewis Howard and Finlay Harper finishing off excellent moves to score.

Bolton u11s were also defeated as they lost 8-5 to Blackburn in a game where they showed some signs of progress but too often neglected the basics that have served them well since January.

The boys were impressive in spells and the team has definitely showed signs of improvement in recent weeks.

George Heaton touched down three times and Jack Entwistle twice.