BOLTON Mets RLFC struggled to their fourthconsecutive defeat with a heavy loss in St Helens. But this was a valiant performance from the Bolton lads who could only muster 12 players, with three still carrying injuries from the previous week. Bolton's only try was scored by player-coach Chris Brown, who raced on to a well executed kick through from hooker Alex Thomas. At half-time, Clock Face had only scored three tries to Bolton's one but, half way through the second period, the Mets were down to 11 players, and finished the game with only 10, allowing the opposition to run in several late tries.
Coach Brown is scratching his head to understand how he had more than 20 players training with the team all summer but now just 12 after only three games. "I understand that Bolton is a football town and Rugby League is one of the hardest team games around, but surely there must be some lads out there with the bottle to give it a go," he said.
Bolton Mets 30 Woolston A 4 16 November 2002
AFTER six consecutive defeats, Bolton Mets had a resounding 30-4 victory over second in the table Woolston Rovers of Warrington. Scrum half Mark Green ran the show, his skilful kicking game and the Mets' awesome defence leading to the Warrington outfit struggling to reach the half way line. Prop Stuart Rogers opened the scoring, followed by a brace of tries from stand off Mark Dorning for a half-time 16-0 lead and Bolton looked far superior.
The second half was one-way traffic, with second row forwards John Atherton and Dave Cain driving the ball in hard. Full back Neil Walsh added another try with winger Gaz Hamer and loose forward Ryan Terry scoring two more. Coach Chris Brown commented after the game: "An excellent result against one of the top sides in the Division. We wanted it more than they did, it's as simple as that.
Widnes Tigers 4 Bolton Mets 20 23 November 2002
BOLTON Mets pulled off a 20-4 victory over Widnes Tigers to lift them from the bottom of North West Counties Division Four. Mets carried on from where they left off last week with an early try from centre Gaz Cartwright finishing off a well-executed team move. Once again, Bolton's defensive line and tackling was outstanding having conceded only one try in the last two games. Prop Colin Crompton lead the charge going forward assisted by second rowers Dave Cain and Ryan Terry. At half-time the score was 8-4 to the Mets and the game was still in the balance.
But utility forward Stuart Cooke put in a sound second half performance along with full back Neil Walsh. And the man of the match performance was easily won by Cartwright, who dove through a packed defence twice to score in the last 10 minutes and kill the game off. After a shaky start to the season, the full-strength Mets now look a formidable bunch and are more than a match for most teams in this division.
Bolton Mets 2 Parr Hare & Hounds 14 30 November 2002
Bolton Mets ARLFC's winning run came to an end on Saturday, losing 14-2 to Parr hare & Hounds of St Helens. After a promising start the Mets took an early lead with a penalty conversion from centre Lee Williams. As the game entered the second quarter against the run of play, a breakaway by the young St Helens centre gave them their first try under the sticks. Minutes later, a gift interception gave the same player his second try and Parr a half time lead of 12-2.
In the second half the Mets tightened up their defence and were unfortunate not to score. Prop Colin Crompton and second rower Dave Caine both came close to scoring. Then a late penalty conversion from Parr sealed their fate despite a man of the match performance from centre Stuart Rogers.
Widnes Albert Park 21 Bolton Mets 6 14 December 2002
Bolton Mets ARLFC could not turn pressure into points as they suffered a 21-6 defeat away to second-placed Albert Park of Widnes. The Mets opened the scoring after only two minutes, when second rower Dave Cain charged through a packed defence, centre Lee Williams converted to give Bolton a 6-0 advantage. It was not until late in the half that the Widnes side replied, with two quick tries handing them a 10-6 lead at the break.
Mets had most of the ball in the second half but failed
to capitalise on it. Full back Neil Walsh touched down only to be judged
inches from the line and prop Colin Crompton also came close. But Albert
Park scored from a gift interception and then were gifted another easy
try to seal the victory. Bolton prop Stuart Rogers deserves a mention
for his powerful drives forward in a team display which again desrved more
than the scoreline suggests.