Last Sunday, Lymm Rugby Club hosted the finals of the Raging Bull North West Junior Colts Cup, Bowl and Plate competiton.
Conditions were sunny and breezy. Wilmslow were up against Bolton in the final of the Plate, It was the first time the two teams had met each other.
Wilmslow started nervously and should have scored with two clear overlaps. Bolton have some bulk in their team and played to their strengths all day. It was tough in defence but the lads stuck to their task including holding Bolton up over the line. Bolton opened the scoring through their forwards and converted from wide out. Wilmslow responded positively and put pressure on Bolton before tow of their players were yellow carded for persistent infringing. Ted Merrick made the most of it and barged his way over to make it 7 all at half time.
Bolton started strongly again and scored early, then came the try of the game by Wilmslow, the ball going through phases and many sets of hands before Man Of The Match Tom Royle fed it to the supporting Angus Ramsay who glided under the posts.14-12 to Wilmslow.
Some indecision in defence and Bolton pounced on the opportunity, they failed to convert in front of the posts.14- 17 to Bolton.
Wilmslow worked their way back into the Bolton 22 and from a penalty Will Maslen caught the Bolton defence napping, quickly tapping a penalty to go under the posts. 21-17 to Wilmslow.
Bolton almost snatched victory at the end but the rapid Jamie Hancock grounded the ball first over our try line for the last play of the game. It was a hard fought contest and Wilmslow had to come from behind three times to beat Bolton 21-17.
This is the Junior Colts' second success after winning the Raging Bull League C in February.
It's there best season to date and all bodes well for next season.
Match report by Phil Howells.
