FLY-HALF Mike Mills surpassed treble figures for the campaign as Bolton RUFC overcame a sluggish start to beat Aldwinians on Saturday.

A 30-6 triumph saw the Cherry and Whites clinch a bonus point and keep up the pressure on North Lancs/Cumbria division leaders St Benedicts.

The Avenue Street men currently sit third – seven points behind the leaders but with a game in hand at the end of November.

And skipper Chris Cockton is confident they can close that gap this month if they keep their focus and the kicking of Mills remains consistent.

Cockton told The Bolton News: "It is great when you have a kicker you can rely on and we are fortunate that we have two in Mike Mills and Mark Doherty.

"Mark did well for us and was the main kicker but Mike has come in and been in great form.

"To pass the three-figure mark in just eight games is fantastic and he is targeting 250 points this season which you wouldn't rule out.

"The fact he is chipping in with tries as well, like he did last weekend, is a bonus for us."

Mills crossed the line for the crucial fourth try against Aldwinians, earning that precious bonus point, before adding the conversion – his second of the game.

He began the scoring with a penalty but Aldwinians drew level with a kick of their own before tries from Mark Chappelhow and winger Lewis Lockett – with his first score for the club – made it 15-2 at the break.

In the second half, Bolton were much better and after a penalty for the visitors, they cross for two more tires from Will Bate and Mills.

It was a determined display that pleased Cockton after their slow start.

The skipper said: "We talked about being focused and showing Aldwinians respect despite their lowly position beforehand but we took time to get going.

"It is fair to say that in the first 30 minutes or so, they wanted it more than us.

"But we held out defensively and once we got a couple of tries on the board, we didn't look back.

"In the second half we were focused and in difficult wet and windy conditions, it was a good result for us – particularly getting that bonus point.

"That is our target every week now – firstly to win then get those four tries if we can.

"St Benedicts at the top have some tough games coming up so we need to make sure we are ready if they slip up.

"With just one going up automatically, top spot has got to be our aim."

Cockton and his side will be favourites to make it four consecutive wins when they visit rock-bottom Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday.

Ashton have lost all eight matches so far and are currently on minus points.

However, Cockton is again taking nothing for granted.

He added: "It is some years since we have played Ashton and unless they have had some work done, their pitch is not the greatest.

"It will be a dogfight and we need to be on our game.

"The key will be starting well and better than we did against Aldwinians.

"If we come out of the blocks firing we will set ourselves up for another positive result."