Broughton Park battled through atrocious conditions to produce one of their strongest performances of the season, defeating Bolton 24–12 on an afternoon when the weather did everything it could to make life difficult for both sides.

The occasion was also a special one for Angus and George, who both made their 100th appearance for Park.

With Bolton sitting one place above Park in the league, this was always likely to be a difficult test. Add in driving rain and a vicious wind and the stage was set for a challenging afternoon.

Bolton started brightly and looked determined to play the game in Park territory, but their early penalty count allowed the hosts to clear their lines and begin to build some momentum.

Park struck first after seven minutes. A superb break from the fly-half took play to within ten metres of the Bolton line. The covering tackler couldn't secure the ball, allowing the chasing winger to collect brilliantly and, despite being brought down just short, stretch out to touch down. The conversion made it 7–0.

Bolton responded almost immediately. A Park clearance went out on the full in the wind, giving the visitors a lineout in a dangerous position just outside the 22. Bolton secured possession, moved the ball through the hands and crossed for an unconverted try to make it 7–5.

Park answered again four minutes later. Strong carries from both forwards and backs, backed up by a dominant scrum, took them upfield before a clever chip through was finished in the corner. An excellent conversion into the fierce wind extended the lead to 14–5.

It was already developing into an excellent contest. Park looked the stronger side, while Bolton's growing penalty count was making life increasingly difficult for the visitors.

Park's third try arrived after 29 minutes and again began inside their own half. Patient build-up play, helped by field position gained from Bolton penalties, eventually created an opening out wide. A well-timed dummy took the full-back out of the equation and allowed the fly-half to finish for 19–5.

But Bolton showed exactly why they had arrived at the game one place above Park in the table.

The visitors responded with their best spell of the half, forcing Park back towards their own line. This time it was Park conceding penalties and Bolton took advantage, crossing for a converted try to reduce the deficit to 19–12.

The closing ten minutes of the half belonged largely to Bolton, with most of the rugby being played inside Park territory. The hosts were made to work extremely hard to preserve their seven-point advantage.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were a very different story.

Park took control, with the forwards producing some outstanding work in the increasingly brutal conditions. Their driving, recycling, scrummaging and mauling continually put Bolton under pressure and began forcing the visitors into penalties.

Bolton briefly managed to clear their lines and establish themselves around the Park 22, but the hosts quickly worked their way back upfield.

A fourth Park try began to feel inevitable.

It finally arrived after a scrum on the Bolton ten-metre line. A powerful shove drove Park towards the try line before the flanker picked from the base and, through sheer determination, smashed his way through the Bolton defence to score.

It was a try the pack thoroughly deserved.

Having spent much of the half battering at the Bolton defence and trying to create the platform for the backs, this time the forwards decided to finish the job themselves.

The unconverted score made it 24–12.

By now the relentless weather was beginning to take its toll on both sides. Bolton were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card less than five minutes later, but continued fighting to the end and ensured the closing stages were played back in Park territory.

The final whistle brought an end to an excellent contest and a thoroughly deserved 24–12 victory for Broughton Park.

It may not have been the best weather for playing rugby, and certainly not for photographing it, but the storm produced a cracking game.

Park knew beforehand that facing a side one place above them in the league would be difficult enough without the conditions thrown into the equation. What followed was arguably one of their most complete performances of the season.

This was not simply a victory built on effort. Park looked strong, organised and technically sharp. The forwards provided an excellent platform through the scrum and maul, the ball was recycled effectively, and both forwards and backs carried with real purpose.

Bolton played their part in an excellent contest and never allowed it to become a one-sided affair, but on a day dominated by the weather, it was Park who produced a storm of their own.

Full-time: Broughton Park 24–12 Bolton

And congratulations again to Angus and George on reaching 100 appearances for Park.