BOLTON RUFC captain Chris Cockton has rued his side’s inability to turn pressure into points as they went down 10-3 away at De La Salle.

Despite travelling to Salford on the back of five successive wins, this was always going to be a tough game for the Cherry and Whites. Bolton have faced De La Salle twice before already this season, winning both by minimal margins 20-19 and 10-3.

With snow and sleet promising an error-ridden performance from both sides, a strong defensive display allowed Bolton to go into half time with a 3-0 lead.

However, in the second half, the away side were made to pay for not keeping their discipline. Skipper Cockton was sin-binned for an offside offence, inviting pressure on themselves and De La Salle made it count, scoring twice to seal the four points.

Despite dominating in large doses in the forwards, Cockton and his Bolton side were gracious in defeat:

“I think the better team won eventually, De La came with quite an obvious game plan with hard direct runners and we just didn’t have anything to combat it.

“We just didn’t seem to get in their faces as we have done against teams for the rest of the season, and it cost us.”

“We came back strong in the set piece, I think our set pieces were great, particularly given the conditions. But the scrum in particular was on top for the whole 80 minutes and unfortunately we just couldn’t turn pressure into points, which is disappointing.”

The game represents a missed opportunity for Bolton to keep up the heat on table toppers St Benedicts who secured a comfortable 43-0 victory over Silloth to move six points clear at the top of North Lancashire/Cumbria league.

“In terms of our desire to try and win the league, it is a bit of a setback but we are still clinging on I think.

“They’ve got to come to Avenue Street in our last game. That’s never an easy game because we pride ourselves on our home record.”

Next up at Avenue Street, Bolton must overcome a Whitehaven side, who are struggling for any kind of form. They sit in the relegation zone and have lost their last three games.

Cockton said: “Given their current league position and the distance that’s got to be travelled, I’m not convinced their going to turn up with the strongest of teams.

“But regardless of that we’ve got to approach it like we would a top of the league clash. We let ourselves down at De Salle and this weekend is an opportunity to try and make up and get five points.”