BOLTON RUFC were left frustrated as their first team's clash with Ashton was postponed.

Despite the heavy downpours overnight, the club's groundstaff appeared to have made the pitch playable only for the visitors to use their right to call the game off at the last minute.

That turned the spotlight on to Bolton's seconds, who made the short journey to Aspull and narrowly lost 7-3.

Peter Carletti kicked a penalty as the wet conditions led to the game being forward based in the centre of the pitch.

Bolton's defence was the highlight of the day with several players coming into the side late and playing in unfamiliar roles.

Their third team played at home against Blackburn and the champagne rugby of last week was not an option as the torrential rain left the pitch something of a quagmire.

But Bolton were ready for their game and started well in what turned out to be a war of attrition, with plenty of handling errors on both sides.

The Bolton line out worked wonderfully on a day when the much bigger Blackburn pack seemed to have the upper hand in the scrummage set pieces.

Constant pressure from Bolton eventually led to a penalty which Ralph Heyes converted to give Bolton a three-point lead at half-time.

Despite an appeal from Blackburn to abandon the match at half-time, the match went on and strong defence from the big hearted Bolton side kept the score to 3-0 at full-time.

Bolton Vets also suffered frustration, travelling to Ashton to find out their game had been called off.