Bolton RUFC 20 Chorley 12 WITH three league games remaining in the North Lancs division one season, Chorley found themselves up against title contenders Bolton.

An understrength Chorley side were missing four key players forcing coach Martin Peacock to play three forwards - M Turner, C Bramwell and C Alcock at stand off, outside centre and right wing. After just 10 minutes, Chorley - with only two league wins under their belt all season - found themselves two tries down.

On both occasions the Bolton backs directed kicks deep into the Chorley half, outpaced the Chorley defence, gathered the ball successfully and dived over for two soft tries.

This could have signalled the beginning of the end for Chorley and possibly a very heavy defeat.

But this was not to be the case, as the remaining 60 minutes of the game belonged to Chorley.

Chorley's defence was outstanding. Time and again key tackles were made as the Chorley players starved the Bolton ball carriers of any space.

With numerous attacking ploys Bolton tried to break through but achieved little territorial advantage.

Not only were the Bolton attacks stopped but the pressure exerted by Chorley enabled possession to be turned over on numerous occasions and Chorley counter-attacked with imagination and support, showing excellent teamwork and commitment.

The Chorley forwards were matching the heavier Bolton pack in the scrums, and in the lineouts the Chorley ball was secure with excellent throwing and jumping by hooker Matt Weaver and No 8 Mervin Patterson.

Before half-time, Chorley missed a penalty in front of the posts and Bolton kicked a penalty to make it 15-0 at the interval.

The second half continued as the first, with Chorley enjoying the vast amount of possession and it was only a matter of time until they were to get the reward their efforts deserved.

Chorley began to service their backs with quicker ball than in previous weeks. This resulted in an excellent team try and a score for winger Richard Dempsey in the corner on the 50th minute.

Chorley were in the driving seat with the Bolton players looking to each other for inspiration and finding none.

But in the 60th minute, with the game under control, Chorley shot themselves in the foot.

A Chorley penalty could have been safely kicked into touch, but they decided to dummy a pass to their backs but they lost possession for Bolton to score a try against the run of play.

Chorley did pull one back after 75 minutes when Carlton Bramwell took on and beat his opposite number from 15m out to go over for an excellent try, converted by S Riches. But time eventually ran out for them.

Coach Martin Peacock said: "We were forced to make a number of changes. It took the rearranged side time to settle. We lost two tries in the first 10 minutes and you can't do that against any team in this division.

"I witnessed some of the best rugby we have played all season. If we had played like that in the majority of our previous matches we would be challenging for the title instead of fighting relegation.

"It is all very frustrating when you see the quality of rugby Chorley is capable of playing.

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