Full of hope and promise, opening the league campaign against Chorley, confidence was high we could get the season off to a winning start, especially given Bolton had won both games in the previous season. Without our student contingent the responsibility would fall to the stalwarts and veterans that were to provide the backbone of the team, Eric Cruice, John Kelly, Mark Robinson, Pete Catherall, Jim Sharples, Les Towler and Keith Howie and they were all ready to pick up from where we left off the previous season. Chorley unfortunately had not read the script and set about Bolton with a pace and skill level that would see them romp to the league title, a 44-0 drubbing not quite what we had in mind.

One week on and a chance to get Bolton’s season properly underway, still without the students but a large squad and Fleetwood duly dispatched 43-10 – this was much more like it. Full of confidence for the first away trip of the season, we set off to the Paddy fields of Burnley where we played in near monsoon conditions. Bolton could not break down a stubborn Burnley defence and fell to a hugely disappointing 8-3 defeat, a disastrous start to the season, played 3, won 1, lost 2 with unbeaten BAE Warton up next!

With the students back, a full squad, the crowd (or at least all of our subs) were treated to a fantastic display of running rugby from both sides with Bolton eventually running out 25-21 winners. Notable debut for first year student Mark Docherty who scored a fine hat trick and showed the form that would eventually see him move up and play 1st XV rugby.

Next up a farcical match against Orrell who would eventually resign from the league. Bolton turned up with their usual 20+ squad to be met with 9 Orrell players and a substitute ref who refused to play ‘these new fangled rules’. Amongst the many tries was one for the evergreen Executive Director of 4th XV rugby Uncle Les Towler and even Mark ‘Doc’ Robinson was able to power over for a fine try – final score 47-19.

Two wins on the bounce but early league leaders Thornton Cleveleys next up at Avenue Street. A tough game saw previous seasons player of the year Mark Higgins returning to action and adding a bit of beef to the pack - his most telling contribution early in the match, breaking from the base of the scrum, beats the first man, 50m to go, the gap opened and .…. Mark tripped over his own (or he claims his captains) feet. Despite this, Bolton put in a huge team performance and yet another unbeaten record fell at the hands of the mighty 4s – 27-7 and another two tries for Docherty.

Next up Preston Grasshoppers unfortunately welcoming back a number of players as part of a first team reunion weekend. Bolton played some of their best rugby all season but ultimately came up short against a very well drilled team – tries for new boys Andy Baker and Duncan Craigen not enough to prevent a 29-26 defeat – a lot of credit from the opposition for the way we played but no points and the end of our brief winning run.

Back to winning ways away at Carnforth saw a number of notable firsts - the seasons first appearance of veteran Charlie Walton, a fantastic debut from back row-come-hooker Ian McAuley and the seasons first try of many for eventual player of the season Gaz ‘Farmer’ Flounders in a 22-12 victory.

This was followed by a fairly routine victory back at Avenue Street against Clitheroe, James Gisborn and Pete Catherall both going over for their first tries of the season.

Our biggest challenge to date - league leaders Blackburn away, a team who were absolutely dominant in the league, thrashing all comers and clear favourites to continue their fine run - but Bolton 4th XV are no respecter of reputations. Match started as all would have expected, big Blackburn forwards running hard and straight driving into the Bolton 22 and for 20 minutes heroic defence from Bolton was all that kept them at bay. Then, the unthinkable, Bolton broke quickly and scored, unbelievably followed quickly by another and suddenly 12-0 to Bolton. The match proved to be a battle of the Blackburn brawn against the speed of the Bolton backline with the pivotal moment the sinbin of the influential Blackburn 8, losing his cool with Bolton 2nd row Jim Sharples and the ref finally losing patience. Huge defence from Bolton saw them run out 24-19 winners, the Blackburn boys were not best pleased as their unbeaten record went – not necessarily the best rugby we have ever played but without doubt the best team performance.

The following week against Leigh, not quite the spectacle of the previous week but a good workmanlike performance saw Bolton register another win and another ‘shut out’ 17-0.

Winning was now becoming a habit for the 4th XV with a comfortable win against Preston in the cup 43-3 and a very uncomfortable win 36-12 against Colne and Nelson in driving rain, sleet and snow. Six wins on the bounce, confidence high and fears/hopes of promotion starting to be discussed!!

Next up near bottom of the league Fleetwood away. This was to be the start of the worst run of the season, as we fell to a 22-18 defeat, followed by a 28-3 reverse to BAE Warton and 31-14 defeat to Thornton Cleveleys. Three defeats and next up run away league leaders Chorley a team who had destroyed us on the opening day of the season but this time in the cup.

The events of Sunday 19th Feb shocked nobody more than the Bolton management team. Expecting a really tough game the whole team turned up early and went through a full warm up with an intensity and focus not usually seen (or expected) for a 4th team. From the first kick off Bolton were intent on getting in amongst them and within two minutes the first try was registered…. and they just kept coming. Helped by some pretty poor defence, everything that was tried just worked for Bolton and although clearly this wasn’t the full Chorley team, the final score of 100-0 showed just what this team was capable of!!

Quarter finals up next and buoyed by the previous weeks result Bolton headed to Tyldesley full of confidence. Unfortunately despite a strong start Bolton were completely outplayed and had no answer to the huge pack, pacey backs and suffered a very disappointing 29-0 defeat – cup dreams over for another year.

Back to league action and an unconvincing 27-20 win against bottom of the league Carnforth, the cup exploits had taken their toll such that a week later Bolton were unable to even raise a squad and had to concede a match to Clitheroe.

This was clearly a blip and the following week Bolton were back to full strength, convincing Preston to come to Avenue Street without a full team with the promise we would make up the numbers, which we did…….. with Bolton first/second team players! Nothing like a challenge! Such was our generosity (and poor counting skills), we loaned them enough to make a full team rather than the planned 14 we had agreed. Despite this, another fantastic game with the Hoppers ended with a 35-15 win for the mighty 4s.

Blackburn up next, no doubt keen for revenge Bolton would need to be at the top of their game. With executive Director of 4th team rugby Les Towler and Captain Keith Howie both absent, Mark Higgins took control of team affairs and immediately installed himself at number 10. Opinion is divided on the success of this move (Mark has one view, everyone else another) but the outcome was a brave Bolton display given the depleted squad and ultimately Bolton tasted defeat at Avenue Street for only the second time all season, 27-7.

Next up Burnley and a chance to avenge the early season defeat despite much of the pre-match talk focussing on the captains vocabulary (rankle really is a word)– Bolton were well up for this one. The ranks swelled with debuts for no less than four of this years junior colts and two senior colts Bolton were too strong in all departments, running out 38-0 winners.

For the final home match Bolton once again made good use of the colts to close out the season’s action with a 25-5 win against Colne and Nelson, fifth place secured, job done. A great season brought to a close with a tinge of sadness for the whole squad as this was also the final match for Charlie Walton who has finally hung up his boots for good (or so he says) after what must be 40 years of (very) senior rugby.

So, in summary, a season of some lows but many more highs. Every game played in the same manner, attacking, 15 (or probably more accurately 24) man rugby with everybody getting involved playing for each other with a great team spirit. Quarter finals of the cup and victorious in games against every one of the teams who finished above us, on our day we were a match for any team in the league. Genuinely an absolute pleasure to play in the team and next year promises to be even better!!
Keith Howie, 4th Team Captain

Addendum from “Executive Director of 4th XV Rugby”: A thoroughly enjoyable season. From our veterans and regular players, to our returning students and our new first year students, and then to the senior and junior colts players who joined us at the end of the season, all of our games were about playing for the ‘team’. Subs were rolled on and off, nobody moaned. Mistakes were made, we got on with it. Opposition teams attacked, we defended like demons. Games got difficult, we stuck together. Opportunities arose, we took advantage. We scored tries, we celebrated. Well done, a big thanks to everyone who turned out for us this season.
Les Towler, 4th team ‘Dad’