BOLTON'S pitches at Avenue Street were inspected early on Saturday morning and a decision was made to cancel all the home games.

This left the first team kicking their heels with no game and no chance of improving their league position. So the team jumped in their cars and travelled to Salford to watch the seconds in their match at Broughton.

On a pitch in a similar condition to Avenue Street, Bolton started the better side and dominated the early set pieces. Paul Bates was making his debut for the side at number eight and he made solid contributions both in attack and defence.

After some good driving by the forwards, Wallbank converted the penalty awarded for offside against the home defence. The hardy spectators had no idea that this early score was to be the only one of the game, in a game that saw no lack of commitment, but very little flowing rugby was possible in the quagmire.

Houston was ever present at any form of contact and his contribution in the line out gave Bolton the edge over the home side. With centres Barlow and Hulme cancelling out any attack from Broughton the game became a battle of supremacy in the forwards.

Bolton's pack worked hard in the difficult conditions but much of the ball won was slow and scrappy and the backs had very little time to produce anything to break down the opposition.

The Broughton side containing several first team players, persevered with their kicking game, but Taff Wallbank at full back, was equal to anything thrown at him and he constantly collected the high ball and made good ground either with his touch kicks or counter attacks.

Flanker Davis was sent to the sin bin after he became involved in a tussle with the Broughton second row, the Bolton players were not sure of his involvement in the squabble, except for being on the receiving end of some early Christmas presents.

Wallbank had two more chances to extend their lead but his kicks just fell short, and Bolton had to put up the barriers in the last 10 minutes as Broughton threw everything forward in pursuit of the winning score.

Discipline

As last week the defence held firm and every player was involved in tackling of the highest order, keeping their discipline not to concede a penalty within kicking distance.

So there was no try creating passes this week from Porter or indeed any other player from either side, but there was a great deal of effort put in by all the players and Bolton seconds have now won three games in a row, the last two by the closest of margins.

Bolton's vets travelled to Blackburn and on their arrival found their opposition in full training kit running through their moves. Bolton resisted the temptation to do likewise and stayed with their tried and tested pre-match routines.

Captain Holden rallied the troops from their different stages of meditation and the battle commenced.

The organised Blackburn side took an early lead with a well worked try, but the Bolton pack soon stamped their authority on the game and took the game to their hosts.

Tries came thick and fast as Bolton went in front with a great score by Joe Lomax who took the last defender with him as he piled over the line.

Next Greg Nicol carved open the defence to score and increase the lead and it was quickly followed by a try from a bursting run from Mickey Hughes as several home players failed to stop him.

Bolton could not maintain the pace and unfortunately allowed the home side back into the game. Holden tried to unsettle the opposition and was given 10 minutes rest in the sin bin for his efforts by the referee, and Blackburn took advantage of the extra man scoring twice more to level the score.

As the light failed the final whistle blew and a score of 19-19 was a fair reflection on two very different sides. The Blackburn players set off on their warm down and debrief by the management, as the Bolton players looked for the bath and bar, and tales of glorious runs and dazzling handling skills.

Competitive rugby had met social rugby at its best and there was no doubt in anyone's mind which was the better! Training continues at Sharples School on Tuesdays 8pm and remains at the club on Thursday 7pm, all new players are welcome.