BOLTON Mets continued their preparations for the new rugby league season with a 28-14 friendly win at Garswood Stags.

Phil Cheetham barged over for the first try, converted by Ken Sackfield to give Mets a 6-0 lead which was wiped out by back-to-back tries for the home side.

Mets went 12-10 ahead with a carbon copy try by man of the match Cheetham which was again converted by Sackfield, and after the interval Rob Tuppen sidestepped his way over after being released by Stephen Taylor.

The 16-10 lead was reduced by four points with a Garswood try before Stephen Taylor jinxed his way to the line to score and Sackfield – who took the top tackler award – kicked over to give Mets a 22-14 lead.

Fifty-one-year-old Adrian Gribbin then charged over from 15 metres out after a short pass by Chris English and Sackfield's foot was again reliable to complete the scoring.