WINNING can become a habit and Bolton Hockey Club's 1st and 2nd XIs have it.

However, the teams both achieved three points this week, despite vastly different displays, the 1sts winning 2-1 against Preston and the 2nds 7-1 at Leigh.

Preston came to play the 1st XI, knowing that they had the better record in recent matches between the teams and relying on a trio of skilful youngsters in attack. Their confidence and ability were evident from the start as they controlled possession, but Bolton had chosen a deliberately restricted stategy of discipline over frills.

This made for an intriguing contrast of styles; Preston pretty and composed, Bolton gritty and determined. The Bolton defence has never been generous and were at their miserly best throughout the first half. Man to man marking by Jones, Tobutt and Short stifled the youthful vigour of the opposition and gave the home side the platform upon which to build.

Still missing the absent Chris Williams from the midfield engine room, the midfield took time to settle, but gradually the perseverance of Flanagan and Luke began to make inroads. The first chances were all Bolton; King was unfortunate to deflect a shot onto the bar, a matter of millimetres from the goal of the season, Tobutt forced a fine save and Aitken's goalbound shot was only kept out by the burly chest of the centre back with the keeper beaten. Finally Martin Luke slotted home a fine finish from a pass from Woods, to give Bolton a hard earned lead.

Preston put more urgency into attack, once behind. Just before the break, they won a series of penalty corners, which threatened an equaliser, but for an outstanding diving save high to his right from Paul Neville. With Woods again sin binned for expressing what might be neutrally termed his 'disappointment' to an umpire.

The second half was more of the same, Bolton on the backfoot but coping well. Neville was rarely under pressure, as tackle after tackle held the attack at bay. Indeed, a crunching challenge from Matthew Short saw him feed Way and within a few seconds King turned home a lose ball, as Aitken created mayhem in front of goal. Preston changed up a gear and threw men forward, finally creating problems for the defensive line, as clearances were returned swiftly to build up the momentum.

As in last week's win at Knutsford, Bolton revel in a battle. Paul Neville again came to the fore to frustrate the away side. He was to be beaten once, as a cruel deflection took the ball wide of his dive and was turned in past a wrong footed Tobutt near the line. Bolton did have chances to kill the game off, but Mathieson, Aitken and King were all unlucky and it was left to the defence to stand firm and keep hold of the full three points.

By contrast, the 2nd XI were never seriously challenged as they trounced a physical and sometimes over-physical Leigh side 7-1. Despite an abundance of possession and fluid passing, Bolton initially struggled to break down the opposition, who seemed content to defend in numbers.

It took until the brink of half time to end the deadlock Paul Ashurst finishing another fine move that had involved Atkins, Dean and Turner. Once ahead, Bolton stepped up a gear and steam rolled Leigh in the second half. Goals from Adam Friend and Owen Evans put Bolton clear. Whilst their opponents seemed to try to drag the game down, Bolton continued to rise above as both Ashurst and Evans got their second goals.

A wonder strike from Richard Turner followed, before Friend rounded off the scoring with a close range tap in. Leigh did get on the score sheet, though their best strikes caused more risk of injury to the umpires and spectators than the net! An eventful day for skipper David Tonge, as his 3rd XI emerged with a creditable point from their 2-2 draw away at Brooklands. With both teams full of attacking endeavour, chances came thick and fast.

Bolton took the lead in the opening minutes, when Anthony Davies guided home a long corner, but Brooklands responded with a neat equaliser from a penalty corner. The home side went on to go in front through a fine individual run and shot. Bolton battled back after half time and secured their point, when Stuart Wallace lashed home a crisp shot. Then Tonge almost undid all the hard work by committing two overly enthusiastic challenges and received his marching orders, but his team battled on to remain deservedly level.

The 4th XI came up against Chester, who are the form side, and were soundly beaten 5-0. The defence almost held firm until half time, with Dinker and Dilip Patel to the fore, but succumbed to a scrappy goal. this appeared to deflate the team and a frankly disappointing second half display saw Chester rack up for goals with no significant response from Bolton.

BOLTON'S Beavers went to Chester and could feel justifiably agrieved coming away with a 2-1 defeat.

Both sides played attractive hockey and the game ebbed and flowed as each team had periods of prolonged superiority.

Bolton were off to a flying start going 0-1 up after only five minutes. William Heaney led the Bolton attack from the off and was a constant thorn in Chester's defence throughout the game, ably supported by Adam and Briony Wilminton. It was a typical Heaney run through the middle of the pitch which created Bolton's goal.

With only one player to beat Heaney slipped the ball through to Adam Wilmington who slotted home.

Bolton created a number of other chances and Heaney was unlucky not to make the score 2-0 when he beat the Chester keeper to a cross from the right wing only to see the ball pass agonisingly outside the right hand upright.

With Chester able to utilise three substitutes and therefore constantly use fresh players it was the responsibility of the outstanding Paul Walton and Rebekah Wilmington to repel the Chester attacks. David Flanagan was equally disciplined in midfield as he held Chester at bay as well as creating many of Bolton's best openings.

Midway through the second half Bolton looked comfortable for the win when a Chester attack down the left wing found the centre forward in space and although his shot was not the best it deflected off Jonathan Howard in goal and trickled over the line.

A draw seemed a fair result but both sides pushed forward for the win and it was Chester who were able to make the breakthrough. Again it was a rare foray into the Bolton D and the rising shot was again parried by Howard but it was not enough to keep the ball out.

Howard felt justifiably annoyed at conceding two goals to shots he would comfortably have saved on any other day. The result was the only negative to come out of a game which saw Bolton's youngsters apply any amount of

passion and application. Everyone played for the team and ran themselves to a virtual standstill. Late winner sinks Beavers