SKIPPER Ryan Terry is hoping the boost in confidence following a first ever victory over local rivals Little Hulton coupled with back-to-back wins for the first time this season can help the Mets surge up the North West Men’s RL Division Three table.

Saturday’s six-try victory at Peel Park saw the Mets leapfrog the Reds and move up to eighth in the table – but Terry is looking for more.

“We are beginning to play to our full potential and put on some entertaining rugby,” the captain said.

“Having players return from injury and the injury list not gaining any new casualties is a real bonus. We need a big push now on the back of the two victories to make up some lost ground from the early weeks of the season.”

After playing eight of their first 10 games away from home the Mets have nine of their remaining 12 scheduled for Avenue Street, with the first of five consecutive home fixtures being against another local side, Westhoughton Lions, on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

They did not have it all their own way at the weekend, however, despite Ken Sackfield giving the Mets an early lead with their first try of the game.

The Reds hit back with a converted Gaz Hession try to lead 6-4 but the visitors were back in front when debutant winger Mike Richardson collected a high kick by fellow new boy Ste Taylor to score the first of his two tries, which Sackfield converted for a 10-6 lead.

Richardson’s second try, set up by man of the match Will Bate gave Mark Dorning a simple conversion and although the Reds hit back with a David Millward try the Mets led 16-10 at the interval.

The lead was stretched early in the second half when Bate weaved his way over for a try Sackfield coverted but when Dorning was harshly sin-binned the Reds took advantage with Millward scoring his second try in the corner that was converted to cut the deficit to six points.

The exchange of tries continued with Terry barging over after hard work by Andy Bowling, Dale Forrest and Ste Lowe but another converted try from Mark Riley brought the Reds to within four points to set up an exciting last five minutes with the result in the balance.

But Bolton would not be denied and had the last word when Taylor and Dorning combined to set up Paul Leigh for the sixth try.