BOLTON Mets kicked off their season in style, with a 50-6 win at home to North West Tigers.

Having formed just three years ago, the Tigers were something of an unknown quantity but a terrific opener from the Mets saw them reach 50 points in a game for the first time since August 2013.

A bright start by the Mets saw them open the scoring with a close-range try from Andy Crompton, the hooker’s first try for the club in only his second outing. Stand-off Daryl Devlin kicked the extra two points.

Devlin’s kick through led to Andy Platt diving onto the loose ball for another try, the conversion putting Mets 12-0 up after 20 minutes.

The Tigers drove forward well with ball in hand but with captain Josh Bourne leading the line the Mets held firm with some impressive tackling.

Another angled kick through from Devlin led to the third try, Jonathan McMillan stripping the ball and going over after it had been collected by the Tigers winger.

Though it was the backs getting the glory, it was the forwards laying the platform for the ball handlers to work from. Strong drives by Neil Kelly, Ryan Terry, Rick Ackers and Jason Nuttall helped set up debutant centre Ben Latham to release Ste Hickey for his first try and a 22-point lead.

A fine first half was marred slightly by the Tigers’ converted try just before the break to make it 22-6.

But within minutes of the restart the hosts registered their fifth try. Another debutant at centre, Latham took the ball out wide and ran around, through and over the opposition on his way to the whitewash.

A mazy run and offload by second rower Rob Tuppen sent Hickey in under the sticks for his second try and he completed his hat-trick soon after, Latham making the break before releasing Hickey to sprint away and touch down.

Several injuries for the Tigers saw them go down to 10 players and, though clearly struggling. they continued to work hard in both attack and defence, the Mets taking off two players to make the rest of the game 11v10.

Another offload in the tackle by Tuppen gave Ackers the opportunity to score which he took advantage of. And, having kicked well all afternoon, Devlin completed the scoring after being sent down the right flank by Latham.

After sprinting past the winger he opened up the angle and sent over his seventh and final conversion to make the final score 50-6 and give the Mets their first opening-day victory since 2015.

This weekend they go to St Helens to take on Thatto Heath B in the NWML Division Five, 2pm kick off.