Bolton Blues

Wigton started very brightly with lots of early possession and took the lead in the 4th minute. Following quick ball from the scrum, the ball was passed along the back line with Gregg Smith touching down in the corner. A difficult conversion was missed but Wigton were ahead 5-0. Wigton continued to press with no reward and with their first foray into the Wigton half, the Bolton inside centre managed to find huge gaps in the Wigton defence to touch down beneath the posts, the conversion gave Bolton a 7-5 lead.

On 18 minutes, poor tackling gifted Bolton another converted try and the lead was extended to 14-5. Bolton was now in the ascendency and Wigton struggled to gain any meaningful possession. However on 35 minutes Wigton spurned a great opportunity to get back into the match when the ball was lost short of the line.

On the stroke of half time, Bolton seized the opportunity to increase their lead and from a 5 metre line out, the Bolton pack carried the ball over the line to give them a half time lead of 19-5.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first half with Wigton players having plenty of the ball and were camped in the Bolton half for long periods of time. A number of infringements gave Wigton a series of penalties, however two line outs well inside the Bolton 22 were lost. A clever kick through from Fergus Ledingham almost brought a second try but a Bolton defender managed a last ditch clearance and kicked the ball into touch. Sustained pressure eventually led to a Bolton infringement and from 10 metres, the Wigton pack drove a maul towards the line, John Story peeled off the side with ball in hand to give Wigton a well deserved try on 50 minutes , Gregg Smith converted from a difficult angle and the score was a more respectable 19-12.

Bolton were now desperately looking for a bonus point try to boost their chances of avoiding the drop from North 1 West and their wishes came to fruition on 65 minutes with a break through the middle and a touch down beneath the posts leaving a simple conversion, the hosts now led 26-12.

The youthful Wigton side continued to push forward and were unlucky not to add to the scoreboard and as the final whistle blew Bolton had won 26-12.

Overall, the Wigton players provided plenty of positives but were unable to turn lots of good possession into points. The forwards matched their Bolton counterparts with strong scrummaging and with plenty of ball, the backs continually probed the Bolton defence which held strong. Congratulation to Bolton on their victory and for being excellent hosts to the travelling Wigton supporters.

Richard Moffatt was awarded the Wigton Man of the Match and next week the lads travel down the M6 for a final time this season to visit Widnes.