BOLTON RUFC captain Chris Cockton believes Saturday's impressive 27-18 win at Aspatria has put down a marker for their season.

The Avenue Street side moved up to second in the North Lancs/Cumbria League with an away victory against one of the sides tipped to be challenging for promotion alongside the Cherry and Whites.

And ahead of back-to-back home fixtures, Cockton says confidence is high after coming through a tough test on the road – something they found difficult at a higher level last season – and scoring three tries in the process.

Cockton told The Bolton News: "It would have been nice to get that fourth try but the main aim was to win and we achieved that.

"It was important and I was really pleased with how we played.

"It was a tough first 30 minutes against a strong pack that were also mobile and athletic.

"We battled well though and took control after we pushed over for a penalty try.

"That's points from our two toughest away games of the season that are out of the way and it's a marker for us.

"The aim is to win the league and get back up and you can only do that by getting away wins as well as home victories."

It was a tough game as Cockton expected in Cumbria with the hosts leading three times in the first period before being dragged bag level thanks to a Mike Mills penalty, a penalty try and the first of two scores from youngster Matt Boyers in only his second outing.

With the score 17-13 at the interval, another converted Boyers try and a Mills penalty took the game beyond the hosts despite a late unconverted try.

Boyers impressed along with debutants Mark Chappelhow and Kieran Shacklock but will now be unavailable as a regular until around Christmas.

Cockton explained: "Matt has done really well – but he is going to university in Nottingham now and though he wants to play when he can, it will be difficult to make every game.

"He is an ex-Warrington Wolves academy player and has been a big difference in the last two games.

"But we have others coming in as well who have impressed.

"Mark is the vice-captain of the second team and an ex-Preston Grasshopper while Kieran on the wing is a former Colts player and it shows the junior section is working at the club."

Bolton host Wigton at Avenue Street on Saturday with the earlier kick-off time of 2pm due to England's World Cup clash with Wales later that evening.