BOLTON Rugby Union Club's junior sides produced a hat-trick of victories at the weekend.
The Under-17s Colts travelled to Crewe and Nantwich and came away with a 27-24 win, the U15s stormed to a 54-10 triumph at Blackburn, and the club's U13s beat Tyldesley 30-10 at home.
The u17s could scarcely have left it later to grab victory from the jaws of defeat as the home team scored what looked like the winning score with just three minutes left to play.
But the Bolton boys hit back when Tobias Kinwood-Bailey shrugged off two defenders, raced 75 metres before being tripped just before the line. From the ensuing penalty Bolton drove to the line but were held up, resulting in a scrum for what would be the last play.
Captain Crompton fed Sam Howie who drew the Crewe winger and released Kinwood-Bailey to get the try which secured Bolton a win they deserved for their character, courage and ambition.
Earlier, Ollie Owen's perfectly-timed pass released Tom Didlock who crashed through three defenders to open the scoring.
Crewe hit back to go 12-5 before Joe Egerton and Josh Aspinwall combined to create an opening from which James Harris made no mistake to see Bolton go into half time 12-10 behind.
The Cherry and Whites' dominance grew after the break with Regan Brown pulling the strings in midfield.
A clever kick created havoc in the defensive line, allowing Leon Bain-Hall to pounce for a try converted by Robert Harris to give Bolton a lead they held until the dramatic finish.
Bolton U15s went to Blackburn, in what was a dress rehearsal for the final pool cup match next month, with an almost full squad and able to loan three players to their depleted hosts to get the game on.
Given the circumstances it was no surprise Bolton came away with a victory earned with an eight-try haul, but that is not to take away from their impressive performance.
The game was only a minute old when flanker Oliver Keogh scored his first try, breaking through an ineffective tackle to touch over.
Full-back Mark Glynn, sharing kicking duties with fly-half Ben Price, converted, and Price did the same after a Leon Hodson try four minutes later to put the visitors 14 points up.
Blackburn showed some mettle to produce a sustained period of pressure and were rewarded with a try on 21 minutes.
Bolton’s response was swift with Hodson scoring his 19th try of the season following good work down the right from winger Leo Hope Barry.
On 30 minutes, the outstanding Glynn scored a stunning try – finishing a beautiful switchback move between him, Hodson and Price – and also kicked the conversion.
With the game sewn up at 35-5 at the interval, Bolton added to their tally after the break with two tries from Harry McDermott and one from Josh Moore.
The result should give some confidence to Bolton going into the final league game needing a win to secure top spot on February 10.
Bolton U13 ended a run of defeats with a morale-boosting win in an 11-a-side game due to late Tyldesley withdrawals.
Bolton had 17 players available so swapped half a team at each quarter to give everyone a game.
Bolton got off to a flying start when Louie Ramm took on several Tyldesley players for a superb solo try.
Tyldesley replied with an almost identical try, smashing through some indifferent Bolton tackling.
In the final move of the half Ben Hammond found Ramm, who went over in the corner to make the half-time score 10-5.
Tyldesley levelled the scores but Bolton pulled away in the final quarter with regular half-back pairing of Jack Good and Henry Ainscough dominant.
Ramm scored two more tries and Evan Dare and Josh Bentley Hughes completed the scoring.
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