Bolton 8 Kendal 53

PROMOTION-CHASING Kendal inflicted a seven-try defeat on Bolton at Avenue Street on Saturday as the new year kicked off with more challenges for the Cherry and Whites.

Although weakened by injuries and unavailability, Bolton produced an impressive first-half performance in which they twice led the powerful third-placed Cumbrians.

Even at 13-8 down at half time, they were still very much in the contest. But they were eventually overwhelmed by the visitors who ran in six converted tries without reply in the second period to leave Chris Cockton’s side to reflect on an afternoon of mixed emotions.

“It was the classic game of two halves,” said Bolton’s 36-year-old senior chairman Jon-Paul Hardman, who started in the front row, but was replaced at half time.

“We gave them a real run for their money in the first half, taking the lead and feeling fairly positive about the performance we put in.

“But they are a top side, they have been together for the best part of four years and with good strength in depth.

"They are wanting to get back into National Three North and have had a big investment of cash.

“They managed to power through for the full 80 minutes and were very clinical in what they did.”

The defeat left Bolton in 11th place in North One West, four points above Eccles and New Brighton who a third-bottom and second-bottom, respectively. But they will be looking to improve that position on Saturday when they take a stronger squad to Carlisle, who are one place and nine points above them in the table.

“It’s challenging,” Hardman said, giving an overview of a season in which the Cherry and Whites are playing at the highest level in their history after back-to-back promotions.

“But it was always going to be an education for us – especially when we come up against the top teams. But, hopefully, we can still produce a few shocks and surprises that might have a bearing on the promotion positions.”

Full-back Mark Doherty registered all of Bolton’s points, scoring a 15th-minute try to put them ahead after Glen Weightman had given Kendal the lead with a fourth-minute penalty.

Doherty and Weightman then traded penalties before the Kendal kicker finally breached the home defence just before the interval with the first of their seven tries.

The second half was one-way traffic on the scoring front with Garry Holmes running in a hat-trick of tries and Duncan Green, Tom Voke and Dino Nojo also crossing – all six scores converted by Weightman.