BOLTON Under-18s held off the late challenge of New Brighton to wrap up a 29-27 win.

But they did not have it all their own way as Brighton drew first blood but Bolton roared back when Elliot Williams made it 5-5 after a fine backline move.

Both sides traded blows in the first half, Joe Partington scored untouched from a well worked penalty move to make it 12-12 with the help of Tom Hills boot.

Hills brought Bolton to within two points as he ghosted around his opposite number to out pace the cover defence.

Captain Josh Holmes put Bolton ahead for the first time early in the second period with Hill adding the extras to make it 19-24 with the conversion.

Things looked grim for Bolton as New Brighton scored a penalty and an unconverted try to lead 27-24 with just 10 minutes remaining.

Ryan McClusky came close losing the ball just a few metres from the line but Jacob Walker stepped up to put the visitors in front as he drove over from a 5m line out to leave the scoreboard reading 29-27.

New Brighton wouldn’t lie down and powered forward in search of a winning score in the final minutes but it wasn’t to be and Bolton recorded their first win on the road of the current campaign.

Harry Kay completed the whole game in fine style and was named man of the match.

Charlie Hardern was immense in defence and full of running in attack and wingers Elliot Williams and James Sykes looked dangerous. Partington and Josh Holmes attacked well and were giants in defence in midfield while the half back partnership of Tom Hill and Joey Gore continues to impress.

The back row of Connor Orrell, Jordan Ashton and Ryan McClusky player their hearts out and their presence made a huge difference to the team both in defence and going forward.

Meanwhile, the u16s started their season at Avenue Street with a 29-7 win against Ashton Under Lyne.

Early scores by Josh Grundy (two), Milo Holmes and Kier Kernick ensured Bolton had a 24-0 advantage at the break.

Ben Turner was running things well at fly-half and saw a gap open up in the Ashton defence and with a couple of steps scored to make it 29-0.

Bolton went to sleep and let Ashton back into the game as they scored a try but they did enough to seal the 29-7 win.