BOLTON Under-15s started the new season with a convincing 57-5 win against local rivals Bury.

Bolton's forward pack dominated the early exchanges and retained possession well enabling the stand in outside centre Joe Brooks to score a hat-trick of tries in the first half.

Captain Jimmy Holland converted and claimed two more tries to give the Cherry and Whites a commanding lead.

In the second half the Bolton pack increased the pressure up front even after some injury enforced changes.

Debut prop Harry Round making life difficult for the opposite forwards.

Only resolute defending by Bury stopped the floodgates opening and credit to the Bury team they didn't give up and challenged Bolton at every breakdown.

Bolton weren't to be denied for long and better organisation and team play told as another Bolton debut player, flanker Jake Ryan outpaced and out-powered the Bury defence adding two more tries.

Dylan Heywood increased the try count after a great pick up at the scrum and Nat May finished a kick through gathering the ball, shrugging off Bury challenges and showing a great turn of pace ensuring wrapped up the victory.

Meanwhile, the u11s kicked off the season with a narrow three tries to two defeat to Leigh.

Thomas Derbyshire and Finlay O'Mara were the stars of the show scoring their late tries as they were outdone by the size and strength of their opponents.

However, the u7s showed them the way with an impressive 20 tries to 15 tries victory against their Leigh counterparts.

Given the few training sessions, the number of players available and their lack of experience being so new to the game, Bolton coaches had no expectations other than just wanting the players to enjoy themselves.

However they played without subs for a total of 50 minutes (the equivalent of just more than two games) to allow Leigh's u7 squad to all participate and the Cherry and Whites won.

There were many tries, flying last ditch tackles, sidesteps and even an odd pass to each other during the victory.

Elsewhere, the u13s were sporting a new kit in a tough opening game as they ran out 22-19 winners against Leigh.

But they did not have it all their own way as Leigh opened the scoring by diving in at the corner.

Myles Garth spotted a gap to power over the line for a try that was converted by Jake Rimmer.

Lewis Picton and Joel Matthews were on the scoresheet for Bolton.

Leigh were looking for blood, but yet again Josh Padmore, Sean Carragher and Lewis Picton smashed hard up the field to restore the lead.

With great skill and determination in attack, Leigh hammered away at the Bolton line to try and close the gap.

A last ditch arm hook by Jake Rimmer and a great drive by Tom Simpson and Oliver McKeown kept the opposition out.

Despite performing heroics in defence Bolton could do as Leigh made a great overlap out wide and a three man overlap left Ben Harrop and Tom McNulty with no chance as Leigh pulled back to 22-19. Bolton panicked a bit and hung on at the death, instead of playing to their strengths.

So it was a close win, but with a great performance from all 22 boys it was a great day in the sun for their first ever 15-a-side game.