Steveo takes on Eddie!

Date published: 10 December 2011

Pre match favourites Hollins ran out winner of the inaugral Bolton University Inter Halls Challenge yesterday (7 December).

Following numerous bits of banter between the lads, Liam 'Steveo' Stevenson was named captain of Hollins and Edet 'Fast Eddie' Otu captain of Orlando Village, each tasked with finding a team to settle the friendly but intense rivalry.

Both teams comprised of players who had played with the University of Bolton Mens Rugby League team through out the year as well as new comers who pulled on their boots to represent their Halls of Residence with pride.

It was underdogs Orland who started the strongest, with Otu leading his charges forward. A neat offload from the captain allowed James Fuller to slip a pass to new boy Will Velios who outpaced the cover to score.

Strong tackling by Fuller kept Hollins at bay while Harry Boorman stepped up to carry the ball deep into the opposition territory, allowing Orlando to score again.

This seemed to spring Hollins into life and, after a controversial refereeing decision disallowed what looked like a perfectly good try, Hollins got on the score sheet through David Whiteside.

The half finished with both teams exchanging tries as James Hardwick (Hollins) and Shaun Burrows (Orlando) continued to lead their troops forward. With the scores tied at 4-4, Nik Mirkhadivi broke the line and celebrated with an audacious 'Swan Dive' over the line, only to land over the deadball line and see his score ruled out with no one in site!

The second half started fiesterly, as club captain Ben Crewe dished out a high shot that rattled Orlando's Brian McKeown. McKeown responded in the best way, scoring a try to edge Orlando back in front.

With injuries to key defensive player Fuller, Hollins ceized the opportunity and began to up there game. Mirkhadivi and Crewe coming to life and making inroads into the Orlando defence.

The pair proved to hot to handle and eventually edged Hollins ahead 6-5. With miuntes left on the clock, Orlando pushed for the equaliser but couldnt quite get there. With the final act of teh match, Mirkhadivi picked up a loose ball and finished the game with another swan dive, this time managing to stay in play to finish the game 7-5 to Hollins.

The team will now take a break over Christmas before relaunching in mid-late January with further friendlies against Universities from accross the North West, in preperation for the SRL Cup competition in February.

Anyone interested in representing the University team can contact club captain Ben Crewe on 07824640866 or ben@thecrewe.com