BOLTON once again experienced the ruthlessness of North One West League when they went down 35-7 at Kirkby Lonsdale on Saturday.

The scoreline may not have reflected the more even balance of play, but the Avenue Street men know they have to match the clinical finishing of their new higher league rivals or face a season of struggle.

Third-bottom Bolton made plenty of opportunities of their own as they suffered a fifth straight defeat against the team third from the top, but handling errors prevented them from turning their chances into points.

Captain Chris Cockton said the team are not too far away from reaching the required standard to stay in this division after two successive promotions.

"We have to try to survive and hope that helps us develop the team for next season," he said.

"The difference we are finding is that teams take their opportunities to score when presented with them.

"We are lacking that clinical edge. We are creating opportunities but the final pass isn't there.

"Physically we are there and we were certainly better than the scoreline suggested on Saturday.

"Even the Kirkby Lonsdale officials said the scoreline did not reflect how well we played.

"We have a free weekend coming up then we're at home to Eccles who won our league last season and are struggling more than us in bottom spot.

"It's a big local derby and we have to look at that game as a springboard. We are targeting that won without a doubt."

Bolton started brightly on Saturday with the forward pack gaining them momentum and field position.

Rhys Pritchard jinked his way past his defender and raced in from 60 metres to open the scoring, with Mike Mills adding the extras.

Kirkby then took a 25-7 lead at half time, a scoreline which flattered them. A good 25-minute spell of sustained pressure from Bolton, in which the consistently impressive Nick Smith shone, failed to add to the visitors' points tally and Kirkby finished the game with two more tries.

"The team aren't far away and the players deserve a mention for how they've been playing," added Cockton.

"Nick Smith plays in the centres and hasn't played for a couple of years. Every game he's played he's made tackles, made ground and put in solid performances.

"Mike Richardson has scored four tries so far this season. He's a sizeable presence on the wing and quick off the mark with it.

"This is only his third season in that position and he's still learning it but he's coming on leaps and bounds.

"And Louis Critchlow is a fans' favourite. He's earned his place for four or five years and he's a slight level above everyone else in the second row."