Newton Storm 30 Bolton Mets 48
Tries: Neil Walsh(2) , Dave Bruen, Mark Dorning (2), Joe Harte(2), Michael HorrabinGoals: Dave Bruen (7) , Andrew Jolly (1)
Man of the Match:Dave Bruen
Bolton Mets bounced back from last weekend’s home defeat to record their second away win of the season at Newton Storm on Saturday.
A topsy turvy game was set underway by centre Neil Walsh who picked up a loose ball to run in under the post as the team from Newton-le-Willows froze expecting a penalty. Back to back tries by the home team gave them a 10-6 lead. A Bolton scrum led to captain Mark Dorning running at the line and finding a gap to score out wide to put the Mets back in front. With Dave Bruen starting at hooker due to injuries, he jumped out of acting half to beat the retreating defence and increase the lead.
Storm then fought their way back into the game with a try before full back Joe Harte was put through with a delayed pass from Richard Smalley to sprint in from 60 metres out. Another Storm try brought the score to within 2 points and kept the game on a knife edge. The final try of the half was a second for standoff Mark Dorning who bamboozled the defence to again score out wide, which gave Mets a 28-20 lead at half time. Tries were being exchanged throughout the game and both defences were being heavily tested.
The second half started with a couple of converted penalties by Dave Bruen either side of a Newton Storm try. The Bolton Mets forwards, Nathan Dodd, Gary Hill, Chris Lane and Lee Bennett were making great yardage which paved the way for the backs to complete a sharp passing move, which ended with winger Michael Horrobin scoring in the corner. Neil Walsh got his second of the game as he was put through by Joe Harte to score under the sticks.
Some quick thinking by Newton with a short kick off got them to within 12 points before Joe Harte scored the final try of the game which saw him go over from close range. Andrew Jolly converted the try to make the final score 48-30.
Coach Paul Wilcock said "Attack is coming naturally to us but missed tackles in defence could cost us dearly if we don’t address it. I'll be working the lads hard in training to combat this and hopefully we'll see an improvement in the coming weeks".