LIFE is sweet at Avenue Street these days.

Bolton strolled into the next round of the cup with their third straight win, racking up 50 points at Didsbury Toc H.

The Cherry and Whites sit third in the North Lancs/Cumbria league table and are playing attractive, expansive rugby into the bargain.

And with virtually a clean bill of health among his troops, head coach Dave Crouch has very little to be down about.

“It was emphatic on Saturday, we were very clinical and played very good rugby,” he said after his side’s 50-20 cup-tie victory.

“Didsbury are a big, strong side but we used the ball really well, and scored eight tries. It could have been more than that, too.

“They were quite a good side but our backs’ lines had them beat every time.

“To score 50 points is great, and the tries we scored were awesome too.

“We eased off a little at the end but the game was well won by then.”

Bolton’s man of the match, centre Alex Waddicar, led the scoring at Didsbury, touching down three times and kicking a conversion, with Jonny Stanfield scoring two tries.

Sam Smith had got the opening try in the first minute and James Singleton and Owen McKenna also crossed for Crouch’s team.

It is back to league matters this weekend, when Bolton return home to host Aldwinians, who are seventh in the table.

And, although pack star Gaz Pritchard is a doubt with a shoulder injury, the coach is looking forward to the game, hoping both the first and second XVs can each make it four wins in a row.

“Aldwinians lost in the cup on Saturday but they have won some good games this season,” he said.

“If they put their first-choice team out they will be very difficult to beat but we’re playing well and our discipline – which has let us down at times this season – was great on Saturday.

“It can make a difference. Refereeing is a difficult enough job, with the crowd on him while he’s trying to do his job.

“If we get the officials on our side, it can help with 50-50 decisions, that could be important in a game.

“Gaz is struggling with a shoulder problem, and it’s a shame because he has been playing really well, but we have a full squad apart from that.

“Selection can be a problem for me but it’s a nice one to have, we have a good, solid base from which to work.

“And we have good quality in the players waiting for their chance to come in. The second team won their cup game and scored 60 or 70 points doing it, that was their third victory in a row too, so hopefully this Saturday both teams will make it four.

“We know that, if one player drops out there is someone else who can come in, step up to the mark and do a job for us.”