Last Minute Try Secures Away Win

Going into an away trip to Bolton was never going to be easy. The home side had won 7 out 7 games and were looking to make it 8. Fleetwood were a little late setting off, due to Nautical Lad Scarrisbrick feeling a little delicate after going out the night before, but were in good spirits looking for a performance.

Although not as bad as the previous week, the weather still wasn't great, dictating again that the forwards would be doing the bulk of the hard work, to allow the backs a chance to strike.

Fleetwood started the stronger of the two teams, looking dangerous throughout the first half. Bolton had to produce some good defending to keep the Green and Gold men from getting over the white wash. On a rare attack into Fleetwood's half, Bolton looked dangerous, Chris Jones had to make the tackle to stop his man. Unfortunately, the official decided that it was an illegal contact, that earned Jones a 10 minute breather in the bin and awarding Bolton the penalty.

Bolton elected to take the scrum, which they won and shipped out to the opposite wing to score on the stroke of half time. Conversion missed.

HT 5 - 0

Words of encouragement were said at half time and Fleetwood came out all guns blazing, refusing to go home with nothing.

Shortly after the start of the second half, returning Fly Half Woodhouse got the ball in the oppositions 22 and danced his way through to score under the posts. Conversion missed. 5 - 5.

The game then evolved into a bit of slugfest, with both teams trying to hit the knock out blow with thunderous runs from both packs and the backs trying to run each other ragged with a mixture of pace, footwork and running good lines.

With 5 minutes left on the clock, Bolton had the chance to put the game to bed with a penalty inside the 22. Fortunately for the Fleetwood lads, the wind carried the ball wide.

Fleetwood worked themselves back down the pitch, desperate to score a winner. Their prayers nearly got answered when Fleet were awarded a penalty within the 22, again though the swirling wind reared its ugly head and the kick went wide.

Minutes left on the clock, Bolton Looked content to just boot the ball down the pitch from the 22 drop out and see where things went. Scarrisbrick blocked the kick though, and young prop O'Hara caught it and ran hard for the line. The forwards got to the ruck in numbers and were able to retain possession. Kirton fished the ball out, passed it to Woodhouse, who took a little step and hit a gas and trail with his centres. Chris Jones came bombing through on the gas, powered his way through the defence to score. Conversion missed. FT 5 - 10.

I am really quite proud of the boys for the performance they produced on Saturday, it was gutsy and intense. To quote Walt Disney: "The difference in winning and losing is most often ... not quitting."

There was a good debut for Chris Constantine in the second row, and Ethan O'Hara got his chance for the 2s after a couple of stellar performances with the thirds this season.

All the forwards pulled their weight, The Back Row of Stelfox, Langton and Jackson especially looking good. Whilst in the backs, 10 Woodhouse, 12 Hall and 13 Jones all combined really well.

The Weekly Sam Pook Report

It's that time of the week again. I know it's Sam's favourite moment of the week. Half decent game for the Hooker on Saturday. Just his scrumming and line-outs needing a little bit of work. Bested by his opposite number in the scrum and the wind. Lost his self help banter book during the week, the jury is still out if this is for the best.

Man Of The Match

MOTM this week goes to Stuart Woodhouse. He has come back and in and used all his experience in leading the backs. Scored a good try and made a crucial pass to set up the winning score. Chris Jones is a worthy runner up for the accolade.

Photos

http://www.markbyrne.co.uk/bolton-2s-vs-fleetwood  

Next Week

Next week is the big one at Melbourne Avenue, as Fleetwood host local rivals Thornton Cleveleys. There is a change in K.O. times due to the clocks going back, meaning K.O. will be at 14.15. To my knowledge the game is being sponsored. So if you're at a loose end next week, pop into Fleetwood and watch two local teams duke it out and stick around for a beer or two afterwards.

Squad: 15. Swindlehurst; 14. Betty; 13. Jones; 12. Hall; 11. Wilson; 10. Woodhouse; 9. Kirton; 1. Wood; 2. Pook; 3. Foden; 4. Watson; 5. Constantine; 6. Stelfox; 7. Langton; 8. Jackson; 16. O'Hara; 17. Scarrisbrick; 18. Birks.