BOLTON Under-17s Colts produced a valiant display going down 19-7 against a Leigh side who are three leagues above them in the junior rugby pyramid.

It was always going to be a tough game, since due to injuries Bolton were only able to field 14 players so were a man down against Leigh and they were on the back foot before the start.

At a very, very wet and even windier Leigh pitch, we had our first defeat of the season.

Right from the kick-off, no-one really knew where the ball was going as there was a gale blowing at right angles to the pitch and despite Leigh groundsmen’s gallant efforts, there were still patches where the puddles were more than ankle deep.

Leigh dominated possession early on with a far heavier pack, both in set scrums and loose mauls.

Leigh went over for a try under the posts within the first 15 minutes which was converted, 7-0 to Leigh.

Kick off saw the ball hovering in the wind and although our forwards were quickly on the scene, possession by Leigh saw them push our pack back and back.

There was some sterling defence by all the players, with strong tackles against much heavier players by Tom Evans, and Seth Fairclough.

When Bolton had possession, long runs down the pitch were impossible in slippery conditions and side-stepping was impossible.

Nevertheless, Adam Hackin and George Lilleywhite did their best and made good ground.

But Leigh again pressed with the forwards and went over for a second try, also converted 14-0 to Leigh.

Rejuvenated by the half-time team-talk, Leigh did not get anywhere close to the possession seen previously, despite having two substitutes with fresh legs, in the set piece or loose, Bolton started to steal more lineout ball.

The backs were stars for all of the second half and our forwards started to win mauls.

One such push saw us within five yards of the Leigh line.

A loose ball in the ruck was spotted by Will Hinchcliffe who did not hesitate to collect it and with a sprint, was over under the posts with David Price adding the conversion to make it 14-7.

Both teams ran, splashed, swam and almost flew in the atrocious conditions and all players deserve credit for the action.

Handling was difficult and it led to Leigh collect a gift and they spotted a gap to go over for another try in the corner.

Bolton could not added to their score but the Colts showed some outstanding defence and their back-line was thwarted by the weather conditions.

A spokesman for the Colts said: "We were the better team in the second half, and had we been at full strength, there would have been a very different score line.

"Our lads should be proud of their performance, with fewer players and so many injuries they still did Bolton proud."