Bolton 10, Thornton Cleveleys 14

THIS was the classic game of two halves. Bolton started well, pressuring the Thornton line in the opening minutes.

The possession soon told, as Bolton scored an early try from a well worked move down the left flank, with winger Andy Dann crashing over in the corner for a lead of 5-0.

From the restart Bolton once again pressed forward, but seemed content to dominate play in their opponents half. From a quickly taken penalty, Bolton spread the ball wide through the backs to Dann, who jinked inside his opposing wing and used his pace to beat the cover defence to score his second try, giving Bolton a lead of 10-0. Thornton respnded with a penalty to give Bolton a 10-3 lead at the end of the first half. Thornton rallied in the second half, gaining possession close to the Bolton line on several occasions. Successive penalties through Bolton indiscipline brought the score to 10-9. Bolton again rallied and pressured the Thornton line, but this time their defence held firm. With 10 minutes remaining the Thornton fly-half put a high ball into the Bolton left hand corner leading to a line-out five yards from the Bolton line. From the throw-in the Thornton forwards forced their way over for a late try.

With time running out scrum half Danny Ryder crossed the line to touch down, but the referee brought it back for an earlier infringement. Bolton camped in the Thornton 22 for the last few minutes of the game, but they had left it too late. Winning becomes a habit and at the moment Bolton can not get into this frame of mind as yet another game was lost by less than one converted try.

Bolton's seconds travelled to Thornton and lost 50 points to 12. Bolton's forwards played well with good performances by John Higson, Mark Down and Lee Mills, however the home side used their extra man to good advantage. Bolton's tries came from Higson and captain Derek Keogh with Richard Aspinall converting one kick. Bolton's veterans were left frustrated as Thornton cried off.

Next Sunday at 2pm sees old rugby acquaintances eunite as a Thornleigh Former Pupils team plays Old Boltonians at Bolton RUFC. The game is part of a series of events organised by the former Thornleigh pupils to promote the relaunch of their old school society. The two schools are the only two in the area that regulary play rugby of either code and any supporters will be warmly welcomed.

Bury U14s 14

Bolton U14s 15

A good hard game with the result only resolved in the last few minutes.

Both teams were well matched with the back rows having a good tussle, Bolton opened the score with a penalty, but Bury came back with two converted tries before half time.

Orme, Philips, Donohue where outstanding in defence, Bury maintained control of the game in the first half, but slowly in the second half Bolton managed to gain the upper hand, following a tactical team change at stand off, with Casey doing some good tactical kicking over a flat but sound Bury defence, Schofield managed to sneak the first try but then in the dying minutes, a well worked scrum released Schofield who ran the length of the Bury half to score under the posts, Casey held his nerve to slot the winning conversion.