Bolton Mets ARLFC continued their NWCL Division 5 season with an excellent 36-6 victory over Eccleston Lions of St Helens.
An unfortunate start to the game saw Eccleston’s Martin Liptrot taken to hospital with a bad leg injury and all at the Mets wish him a speedy recovery. Once play resumed the Mets took control with forwards Terry, Cain and Atherton taking the ball deep into the Eccelston half, ably supported by Cartwright and Grounds’ bursts from dummy half.
Subtle promptings by halfbacks Leach and Willcock saw Cain spring the line and he put the supporting Bennett in at the corner. Following the restart, further good work by the Mets provided good field position for Leach to dummy his way through and hold off the cover defence to score. Sherrington added the extras on a difficult day for goal kicking. Eccleston came back strong and surety under the high ball and a crunching try saving tackle by full back Sherrington kept them scoreless. Eventually Eccleston broke through to score which left the half-time score 14-6 to Bolton.
Following words of wisdom from Coach Brookes and the introduction of Walsh and Cobbin the Mets stepped up a gear in the second half, forcing Eccleston to surrender possession through committed and well-organised defence. A sweeping team move saw Sherrington score in the corner and a few minutes later a set move in midfield saw Willcock put the aging Crompton through the gap and he charged away like an arthritic gazelle to score.
As the half continued Eccleston put pressure on the Mets line but determined defence and great relieving runs by Mark Dorning, Cobbin and the veteran Charky enabled the Mets to gradually re-gain good field position. Sustained pressure saw Walsh crash over from dummy half and further good work from halfbacks Leach and Willcock sprang Cain and he fed the supporting Bennett for a carbon copy of his first try. More resilient defence pinned Eccleston back and Walsh again scored from dummy half, the defence no doubt distracted by a deep lying, meticulously placed attacking line. At this point Wilcock was directing the Mets around the field like a traffic cop and he launched another set move, which sent Mark Dorning streaking through the defence. He drew the full back and set in the supporting Cobbin for a fine try. Sherrington added the extras to leave the final score 36-6 to Bolton.
It was a fine performance by the Mets, with excellent ball control and a well drilled defence, which showed the ideas and hard work put in by the coaching staff pre-season is starting to pay dividends.
Bolton Mets 16 Chorley Panthers 12 8th October 2005
Bolton Mets ARLFC continued their winning ways with a hard fought home victory over Chorley Panthers. The Mets continued in the same vein as previous weeks with strong defence and good go-forward pushing Chorley back.
Early on the Mets lost two influential players in Cobbin and Sherrington to injury, but the remaining 15 Mets stepped up a gear and good interplay between forwards and backs ended with Willcock opening the scoring with a well taken try.
Fine rain, the kind that soaks you through, fell throughout the match restricting the Mets usual expansive style but with the Mets playing basic rugby and establishing good field positions, Walsh made a trademark burst from dummy half, scooting past the marker defence and rounding the full back to score. Cain added the conversion to leave the half time score 10-0 to Bolton.
The second half began with Chorley stepping up a gear and as play swung from end to end as the game developed into an absorbing arm wrestle. However, Bolton scored again with Terry crashing through three would-be tacklers to burrow over the line. Cain slapped over the conversion to put Bolton 16-0 up with 20 minutes left. Visibly tiring, the short-handed Mets defended bravely but Chorley broke thought to score a converted try and following the restart camped on the Bolton line. Again, the Mets repelled the Chorley attacks, but eventually with the last play of the game Chorley scored another converted try to leave the final score 16-12 to Bolton.
The Mets were pleased to edge a close game between two fairly even sides and all the players should be credited for their attitude and application.
Bolton Mets 8 Glazebury 4 29th October 2005 - Match abandoned at Half Time
Bolton Mets ARLFC played host to unbeaten Glazebury at Newhouse Farm Last Saturday. Bolton started in determined fashion in the face of robust Glazebury tactics with the forwards and backs combining to make good yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, sustained pressure from Bolton, playing up the slope and against the wind, forced a Glazebury mistake and from the resulting possession, Leach placed an excellent grubber kick behind the defence which was pounced upon by the predatory Cobbin to score the game’s first try.
The two well-matched teams then slugged it out on the gluey pitch, with Bolton’s tackling and organisation reflecting the hard work put in by the coaching staff. After half an hour Bolton won a scrum near the Glazebury line and excellent handling in tricky conditions saw Kinkead squeeze over in the corner, giving Bolton an 8-0 lead. Glazebury came back and forced a number of repeat sets on the Bolton line, which was repelled by some excellent defence. Eventually towards the end of the half Glazebury scored to leave the half time score 8-4 to Bolton.
Unfortunately the Newhouse Farm pitch claimed an unlikely victim in the referee who, towards the end of the first half, slipped and pulled a hamstring. The referee was unable to continue and as no replacement official could be found the match was abandoned.
It was a frustrating and unsatisfactory end to the game
for Bolton who were confident of maintaining their lead and inflicting
Glazebury’s first defeat of the season. Nevertheless there were many
positives which Bolton can take from the match. The match will be
replayed later on in the season.
Eccleston Lions 4 Bolton Mets 28 5th November 2005
Bolton Mets ARLFC continued their winning streak with victory at Eccleston Lions of St Helens last Saturday.
Bolton made a bright start, controlling the ball well in wet conditions and eventually good handling gave Brown the space to score the game’s first try in the corner.
Bolton’s tackling continued in the same vein as previous weeks to restrict Eccleston’s attack and with the forwards making good yardage Cain backed up a neat passing move from the halfbacks to score an unconverted try. Further solid play saw Bolton complete most of their sets and secure good field position, which in turn lead to further tries from Cobbin, Edmondson and Terry. Cain converted one of these tries to leave the half-time score 22-0 to Bolton.
In the second half a combination of Eccleston stepping up a gear and some poor ball retention from Bolton gave Eccleston good field position and eventually they scored an unconverted try. As conditions deteriorated, patient promptings by Bolton’s halfbacks redressed the balance and a set move saw the seemingly ageless and increasingly hairless Harte tear through the defence for a try. Cain added the extras to leave the final score 28-4 to Bolton.
It was another solid win for Bolton, who were pleased
to pick up the points despite their performance not reaching the heights
of previous weeks.
Glazebury 20 Bolton Mets 8 19th November 2005
Bolton Mets ARLFC's winning sequence ended last Saturday with defeat away to table toppers Glazebury.
The match started with both teams tackling strongly and scoring chances were at a minimum. Eventually sustained pressure from Glazebury saw them score the first try from a high kick after heroic scrambling defence from Bolton repelled five tackles on their own line.
In the face of some robust play from Glazebury, Bolton kept their discipline and as a result gained a foothold in the game. Eventually following a good spell of Bolton pressure scrum half Leach shaped to kick on the last tackle, dummied the defence and ran over the full back to score. This left the half time score 6-4 to Glazebury.
Into the second half, on attack Bolton played as poorly as they had done all season and continually turned the ball over. This was offset however by the best defensive display for some time which curtailed Glazebury’s attack. On a rare Bolton attack, Dorning worked a set move in midfield which sprang Crompton who touched down. Much to Bolton’s disbelief the try was disallowed for a forward pass and in the ensuing possession, Glazebury were fortunate to be awarded a try which appeared to feature a knock on and a forward pass in the build up. This deflated Bolton who one minute earlier were convinced they had took the lead and instead found themselves 14-4 in arrears.
Bolton’s attack was still misfiring and although the defence remained strong Glazebury scored again to put them out of sight at 20 points to 4. However, the Mets never gave up and another rare move saw Willcock and Cartwright gain 60 yards with a bout of inter-passing. From the resulting play Willcock popped up a pass for Cartwright to soar in at the corner. That left the final score 20-8 to Glazebury.
Best performers for the Mets were Cain, Willcock and Leach.
Crosfields A 10 Bolton Mets 30 3rd December 2005
Bolton Mets ARLFC visited Crosfields of Warrington last Saturday and came away with a hard fought victory by 30 points to 10.
Atrocious conditions resulted in plenty of lost ball by both teams but Bolton scored an early try when two long passes stretched the Crosfields defence for Cobbin to open the scoring. From the kick off, Bolton surrendered possession and Crosfields scored a converted try to take the lead. A couple of penalties saw Bolton march upfield and Terry burst onto the ball and brushed aside 2 weak tackles to score under the posts. Cain kicked the extras to put Bolton into the lead, which they held until just before half time when Crosfields replied to leave the half time score 10 apiece.
In the second half, conditions deteriorated further but paradoxically Bolton began handling the ball better, and each player upped the tempo after a few words of wisdom from the coaching staff. By completing their sets and forcing Crosfields into numerous mistakes Bolton begin to dominate the game.
First, Walsh scored from acting half back with Cain adding the conversion, then great handling by the halfbacks put Cain clear, and he dummied the full to score.
The Mets were on the rampage now and a long-range raid that went through several pairs of hands saw Cartwright finish off under the posts with a flying belly flop. Cain converted. The last score of the game was another supreme team handling effort from long distance with Cain finishing off in the corner to leave the final score 30 points to 10 to Bolton.
Best performers for Bolton were adjudged to be Crompton (much to his and the teams surprise), Willcock who created several tries and Terry who offered some robust tackling.
Special mention must go to Mets player Shane Cobbin who played his last game for the club prior to his return to his native Australia. Everyone at the Mets wishes Shane well for the future.
Chorley Panthers 8 Bolton Mets 8 17th December 2005
Bolton Mets ARLFC visited Chorley Panthers last Saturday for their last match of 2005. Injuries to a number of key players forced the Mets to field a makeshift side with a number of players playing out of position.
Bolton started well and made a number of early forays into Chorley territory and some sustained pressure saw Terry crash through the defence to open the scoring.
Defences then held sway on a narrow pitch and the Mets were guilty of forcing the pass when in good positions, resulting in a number of dropped ball. More injury problems saw further reshuffling of an already depleted team and towards the end of the half Chorley scored an unconverted try to leave the half time score four points apiece.
In the second half, the visibly tiring Mets again squandered good field positions, although their defence held firm. Eventually Chorley scored another unconverted try, although the nearby Mets players saw fit to question the validity of an apparent forward pass and a double movement.
With three minutes to go the Mets trailed 8-4 and, with many tired players now playing from memory, the Mets summoned up one final effort and worked upfield. On the last tackle, Walsh made a trademark break from dummy half and wrestled the ball down for a try. The match hinged on the conversion which drifted wide, despite the best efforts of the Mets’ touch judge who jokingly raised his flag to vociferous complaints from Chorley. With the scores level and seconds remaining, Chorley marched downfield and had two attempts at the winning field goal. Heroic defence by the Mets charged down the attempts each time.
The match ended eight points all, and the depleted Mets were mightily relieved to have avoided defeat.
With a break from training over the Christmas period, the coaching staff request that all players attend training when it resumes in the New Year, particularly as going into 2006 the Mets have all to play for in the league.
Widnes Tigers 20 Bolton Mets 20 14th December 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC visited Widnes Tigers last Saturday for their latest league match.
The Mets started brightly on a very narrow pitch and excellent early defence enabled Mets to build up pressure. The Mets scored first with Willcock creating space and found Harte on the burst. He crashed through 3 defenders to score.
The Mets carried on dominating proceedings and on halfway good interpassing between Cain and Crompton saw Cain romp clear of the defence to score. The Mets were cruising with a ten point lead but a run of penalties saw Widnes camped on the Bolton line and eventually they breached Bolton’s defence to score under the posts.
The Mets cut out their indiscipline and marched upfield. Eventually a well executed set move saw Terry blast through the defence to score. Following more good field position Willcock bamboozled the Widnes defence to send Hulme in at the corner for his first try in 9 years at the club. Cain added an excellent touchline conversion and the Mets were to the fore by twenty points to six.
Towards the end of the half Widnes scored another try to leave the halftime score 20-10 to Bolton.
In the second half, Bolton felt they received the rough end of some fifty-fifty decisions and could have complaints about both tries scored by Widnes that brought the score to 20 points apiece. In a nervous last ten minutes, Bolton squandered drop goal chances and overlaps but they could have claimed the points when Atherton intercepted a pass in his own half and hared almost 70 yards downfield before being overhauled by the cover defence.
The Mets were lucky to escape with a draw; however there were plenty of positives to be taken from the match and the Mets are still in the promotion shake-up.
Bolton Mets 4 Glazebury 4 21st January 2006 MATCH ABANDONED AFTER 30 MINUTES (AGAIN)
For the second time this season Bolton Mets ARLFC’s home game against promotion rivals Glazebury was abandoned before half time.
After a pitch inspection, the referee allowed the game to commence despite standing water and ruts present over most of the pitch. The game started with defences on top, but Glazebury took the lead with an unconverted try after forcing back-to-back sets on the Bolton line.
Eventually, with the forwards, particularly Walsh, Terry and Cain making good yards, Bolton began to establish the upper hand in exchanges and a set move involving Willcock and Harte was perfectly executed to spring Kinkead in at the corner for an unconverted try.
At four points apiece with the Mets feeling confident they had the ascendancy the referee called the captains together and ruled that the pitch has deteriorated sufficiently in the half hour of play to become dangerous. This fact was borne out by five knee and ankles injuries suffered during the game.
Bolton were left frustrated having felt they had the beating of their promotion rivals but once again were let down by the state of the Newhouse Farm pitch. The sooner another playing surface can be found the better, and the Mets promotion cause can get back on track.
Southport 12 Bolton Mets 26 28th January 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC visited an improving Southport last Saturday in their latest league match.
Preparations weren’t ideal for the Mets with their playing kit arriving late after being taken on a tour of Southport’s back streets. Once the game did start honours were even for the first twenty minutes until Willcock snaffled an interception and touched down in the corner. Poor discipline then cost the Mets and a string of penalties ended with Southport scoring a converted try to take the lead.
Bolton picked up a gear and Terry, who had a strong game throughout, burst on to a pass from Leach and touched down. Crompton tagged on the extras leaving the half time score 10-6 to Bolton.
Into the second half, Bolton didn’t hit top form and were guilty of not using their outside backs. Nonetheless, powerful running by the evergreen Harte, who was Bolton’s man of the match and Mark Dorning contributed to good attacking positions. One memorable 40 yard run from Dorning included a step, a dummy and a swerve before being held up over the whitewash. The pressure eventually told when Willcock, using the inside man as a foil, bewildered the defence to score, leaving Crompton an easy conversion.
Terry then scored his second try of the game after a typical hard direct run, bulldozing through the full-back. Crompton slapped over another conversion.
Southport scored another converted try but Bolton rounded off the scoring when a sweeping move across the pitch allowed Crompton to pick out the charging Bennett who touched down, leaving the final score 26-12 to Bolton.
It was a tough match for the Mets who never hit top gear, although the caching staff was satisfied the promotion bid remained on course.
Southport 16 Bolton Mets 40 4th February 2006
Due to a long-standing pitch problem Bolton Mets ARLFC forfeited home advantage and visited Southport again last Saturday in their latest league match.
Aiming to build on last weeks’ victory against the same team, Bolton were guilty of slack play and conceded an early try. Continuing to misfire, Bolton doggedly remained in the game and 50 yard break from Walsh set up position for Leech to outstrip the cover and touch down. Southport scored a further try but Bolton again replied with a Mark Dorning 4 pointer. A tit-for-tat first half ended after Southport added a further try, only for Walsh to reply for Bolton. At half time the score was 12 points all and the coaching staff were concerned by a very flat Bolton performance.
Into the second half Southport again scored to take the lead at 16-12 and after an hour a disjointed and woefully under-par Mets looked like slipping to a shock defeat.
What happened next was almost the greatest come back since Lazarus. Spurred on from a monumental ear-bashing by stand-off Willcock the Mets finally kept ball in hand to provide Willcock with the space to dummy his way over for a try, converted by Cain, which put the Mets 18-16 up.
An incredible ten-minute passage of play then followed. From the kick off the Mets displayed amazing cohesion with forwards and backs combining to send in Mark Dorning for his second try to extend the Bolton lead. Southport once again kicked off and again Bolton drove the ball right upfield to the line for Walsh to plunge over for another try, Cain converting. Again Southport kicked off and from the kick off set Bolton again marched upfield. Walsh again scored, bouncing off opposing players and the post protectors like a pinball to score his third try of the game. Cain again converted as Southport visibly wilted under the onslaught.
No doubt anticipating another Groundhog Day moment Southport kicked off and once again the Mets provided it, marching upfield for Crompton to stroll over for another try, which Cain converted. In a blistering spell the Mets added five tries, four of which came direct from receiving Southport kick-offs.
That completed the scoring, leaving the final score 40-16 to Bolton. Top performers were adjudged to be Harte (as much for his baking skills), Walsh and Willcock. The Mets were ultimately satisfied with their afternoons work and their promotion bid rolls on.
Wigan Keepers 38 Bolton Mets 6 11th February 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC’s run of eight games unbeaten was brought to an end last Saturday by a well-drilled Wigan Keepers outfit.
The game started well for Bolton, with the Mets having the better of early exchanges and after 20 minutes Willcock sent Crompton in under the posts for a try, which Crompton also converted. Wigan then came into the game more and scored a converted try of their own, before adding a penalty on the stroke of half time to leave Bolton trailing 8-6 at the interval.
Into the second half and Wigan took control, with Bolton unable to fight back against the onslaught. As Bolton tired, tackles were missed and Wigan took full advantage running in a number of tries.
Bolton failed to score in the second half and Wigan ran out winners by 38 points to 6. It was a disappointing performance by Bolton against one of their promotion rivals and the coaching staff hopes that this was a temporary blip in standards and the team rediscovers its form for the remaining 3 games.
Bolton Mets 22 Crosfields A 4 25th March 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC played host to Crosfields of Warrington last Saturday in their latest league match.
Due to continuing problems with the Newhouse Farm pitch, this game was played at the Avenue Street home of Bolton RUFC and everybody at the Mets wishes to place on record their thanks to Bolton RUFC for the loan of their pitch and facilities and their hospitality after the game.
The Mets put Crosfields under pressure from the start but were thwarted by good defence, being held up over the line twice and Harper having a try disallowed for a forward pass. Eventually the pressure told and Leach sent Mark Dorning in under the sticks for a try improved by Harper.
Crosfields continued to defend well, but this was matched in turn by an excellent defensive effort by the Mets, which limited Crosfield’s forays into the Mets half.
Just before half time Walsh struck from close range for a typical hooker’s try, leaving the half time score 10-0 to Bolton.
Into the second half and the Mets continued to have the best of possession and territory, leading to Crompton ploughing towards the line. In the process of trying to ground the ball, two Crosfields defenders ripped the ball from his grasp and the referee made the brave decision to award a penalty try. Harte added the extras.
Crosfields replied with an unconverted try of their own before Walsh completed the scoring with another close range effort to leave the final score 22-4 to Bolton.
It was a workmanlike performance by the Mets and the coaching staff were satisfied with the performance on the back of recent postponements a little gametime.
Next week the Mets are at Avenue Street again, playing host to Glazebury for what could be a promotion decider.
Bolton Mets 42 Glazebury 16 22nd April 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC played host to league runners-up Glazebury last Saturday in their final home match of the season.
The match was again played at the Avenue Street home of Bolton RUFC and everybody at the Mets again wishes to place on record their thanks to Bolton RUFC for the loan of their pitch and facilities and their hospitality after the game.
Coaches Brookes and Brown led the Mets in an excellent warm-up and a confident Mets started well, with Brown latching on to a flowing team move for the first try of the game. The Mets kept the pressure on and a storming burst by Terry led to another try, converted by Crompton.
The Mets then eased off and a series of turnovers allowed Glazebury three tries, two of which were converted, leaving the Mets in arrears 16 points to 10. Towards the end of the half the Mets looked to re-assert themselves on attack but Glazebury secured an interception and looked odds on to score. What happened next turned out to be pivotal in the game. Full back Harte raced 60 yards after the Glazebury player and managed to knock the ball out of the player’s hands as he dived over the line to score. The referee rightly disallowed the try in the face of fierce protests, leaving the half time score 16-10 to Glazebury.
Buoyed by Harte’s efforts and a focused team-talk the Mets simply blew Glazebury away in the second half with their best 40 minutes of the season. Willing runners enabled halfbacks Leach and Willcock to march the Mets upfield. A series of high speed set moves led to tries for Mark Dorning and Cain and winger Harper chipped in with two belters.
Crompton scored a scrambling try after a smart off-load from Bennett and Walsh added a trademark short-range effort. Cain added four conversions, including one soaring effort from the right touchline.
Bolton added 32 unanswered points in the second to run out victors by 42 points to 16. It was all too much for Glazebury and their indiscipline lead to the Mets total domination of the second half.
The Mets final match of the season is away at Rochdale Mayfield next week and if the Mets win it will secure third place in the league. The coaching staff asks all players to attend training this week at Newhouse Farm from 7pm for one final push.
Rochdale Mayfield 22 Bolton Mets 34 29th April 2006
Bolton Mets ARLFC visited Rochdale Mayfield last Saturday for their final match of the season, knowing a victory would see the Mets claim third spot in the league.
The Mets started brightly and soon gained the lead, with Harper touching down in the corner from Cain’s pass. Next, Brown finished off a flowing move involving Leech, Wilcock, Harte and Bennett to give the Mets an 8-0 lead.
Mayfield replied with a converted try but the Mets marched downfield and prop Steve Dorning produced a grubber kick that bewildered the defence and was snapped up by the onrushing Bennett to score. Cain added the conversion and more blistering play saw Terry burst through four would-be tacklers to score. The first half scoring was completed by a smart burst by Walsh between the marker defence which was converted by Crompton.
The Mets were unstoppable in the first half and a 24-6 score line suggested more to come, however the Mets went off the boil and a spirited Mayfield began to claw their way back into the game. The teams swapped converted tries with Harte scoring for the Mets with a fantastic 60-yard kick return. At 28-12, an increasingly out of sorts Mets were not quite out of site and Mayfield scored two tries to bring the score to 28-22 with 10 minutes to go. Fortunately for the Mets, Bennett steamed in at the corner for a try, converted by Cain and the Mets closed out the match to win 34-22.
The win cemented the highest ever league placing for Bolton and promotion seems a likely prospect. It was a fitting end to a season where the hard work put in by the coaching staff and the team has paid dividend.
The Mets are taking a break from training until after
this year’s tour to Newquay. Training will resume on Thursday 25th
May.