HORWICH took the points and the bragging rights with a resounding 5-0 home victory over Bolton's third team.

The win leaves Horwich sixth in the North West Hockey League Division Five North/South, one place above Bolton but seven points better off and only eight points off top spot.

The game, which had been postponed in November, was tightly contested in the first half with Horwich taking the lead when David Whiteside broke free and fed the ball to Paul Buckland who struck a firm shot into the back of the net.

Bolton pressed forward looking for the equaliser and were denied when, following a period of sustained pressure, had a shot cleared off the line by Arindam Biswas.

They also had a goal disallowed from a short corner as the ball rose and did not hit the backboard.

Horwich then had a period of pressure and capitalised with a second goal, Whiteside converting from a Ryan Brennan pass.

The visitors created a number of chances as they looked to get back into the game, only to be thwarted by excellent keeping from Ryan Goodman.

Horwich's clinical finishing then proved the difference between the sides with Tony Sanderson making it 3-0 at the second attempt, Whiteside superbly lifting the ball over the keeper to make it 4-0 and the same player completing his hat-trick and capping a superb performance by converting Nathan Bolton's assist.