BOLTON RUFC skipper Chris Cockton has underlined the enormity of the club’s achievements this season, knowing a win on Saturday will seal a play-off place.

Bolton need just four points to clinch second place, and with already-relegated Ashton standing in their way, they are expected to reach the play-offs for a shot at promotion back up to North West One, at the first time of asking.

If Saturday’s game goes anything like last weekend's game at home to a depleted Whitehaven then the Cherry and Whites will be confident of a win.

Bolton won the game 94-5, scoring 14 tries in the game, before it was abandoned 15 minutes before time, as there was no hope of a comeback.

Cockton believes his side have put a lot of work in to be where they are and reaching the play-offs would mean a lot to the club.

“We did want to win the league, but there was a point during the season when we knew that was out of reach so you’ve got to set your sights on the next best thing and we're now just one game away from achieving that.

“It’s an amazing achievement, in the last few years we used to continually struggle in the league below, so when you look at our record over the last five years, this would be our third play-off in four years and potentially our third promotion.

“I’m confident we can get to the play-offs and I’m confident we can cause an upset in there too, so it would be a great thing for the club and personally as well.

“But at the end of the day, if you score enough league points then you deserve a place, it’s not been as strong a season that it was two seasons ago when we last got to the play-offs, but I just hope, God-willing, that we win, and that it can reignite the love within the club and hopefully we can build on that for next season.”

This will be Cockton’s last season as the captain of the Cherry and Whites, as he is stepping aside from the role and allowing someone else to take the reigns.

He hopes he can go out on a high, saying: “I’ve done it for five seasons now and I just feel I’ve given all I can to the role, it’s time for somebody fresh to come in, with their own approach.

“It would be a great way to sign off, and a nice place to hand over to whoever takes it next.”