GOLBORNE Parkside tasted the bitter side of the game on Saturday in the semi-final of the NWC Bowl when they went down to a narrow 17 -11 defeat to an unbeaten Bold Miners side.

The rules of the competition for sides in Division Four and below allow teams to play players from their first team, which Bold did, fielding players from their premier league team. While Golborne were unable to field a full strength side due to players being cup tied because their second team had played in the same competition.

Golborne made the worst possible start when they went 4-0 down after only three minutes. Worse followed from the next play. David Long and Zac Patterson collided as they attempted to gather the ball. The Bold winger picked up the ball and raced 40 meters unopposed to score a converted try.

Golborne pulled back 2 points after 35 minutes with a David Hindley penalty and just before half time the reduced the gap to just two points with a good try from Andy Simms converted by Hindley.

Minutes into the second half Golborne levelled the score with a penalty goal from Hindley. But soon afterwards Bold restored their lead with a drop goal. Kevin Coward levelled the score with a drop goal and with 14 minutes remaining both side had it all to play for.

Bold took advantage of a refereering mistake to crash over for the winning try 10 minutes from time.

Man of the match was second row Kevin Marsden with James Byrne second and David Long third. Byrne also finishing top tackler.

Golborne U18s ended the season in style when they defeated Waterhead 18-16 to finish in a creditable fifth.

Missing Craig Ashall and John Parr, Golborne gave all their squad members a run as they built a 18 -0 lead in the first half with tries from Chris Reynolds, Danny Byrne and Tom Smith and three conversions from Stuart Arkwright. Waterhead hit back with a converted try to make the half time score 18-6.

Golborne gave all their squad a run as Waterhead scored two more tries to narrow the gap to two points but Golborne held on to record a good of season victory.

The Under 10s performed poorly as they went down 34-20 to Ince Rose Bridge.

Golborne's attitide was wrong and Rose Bridge almost scored at will. Golborne, when they decided to play rugby, replied with four tries and two conversions. Player of the Match - Greg Wilde; 2nd Player of the Match - Ben Currie; 3rd Player of the Match - Mike Koppel; Top Tackler - John Dutton; Most Improved - Andy Gibson; Best Trainer of the Week - David Wynne-Jones.