High hopes for an exciting battle with local rivals Eccles ended in disappointment as Bolton lost 32-7.

Bolton looked to have the edge, pushing the bigger pack around the park in both the loose and set-piece plays and after two minutes a clearance kick was charged down by Knibb, and gathered by Turner who crossed the line only for the try to be disallowed.

There were some good individual plays with man of the match James Brodie putting in a number of strong tackles, but without possession, Bolton's attacking threat all but dried up. Any ball that the forwards won was scrappy and poorly presented giving scrum half Andy Leigh little or no chance of demonstrating his wealth of skill and experience.

The poor performance was without doubt a setback and they need to pick themslves up for Saturdays home game against Old Bedians. The second team suffered a heavy 48-17 defeat after fading badly.

Bolton conceded two tries before they replied through Steve Morrison but quickly found themselves further behind.

Two Leigh McDermott tries gave them hope but Manchester finished strongly.

Bolton's third team were left with no game as Kirby Lonsdale cried off while the fourths travelled to a very strong Clitheroe seconds and suffered a heavy defeat.