By Matthew Gregory

BOLTON head coach Dave Crouch hailed his team’s defence as the best in the league as they racked up their 12th straight victory with a 42-29 win against promotion rivals Aspatria.

After the fixture was postponed twice it was third time lucky for the Cherry and Whites, who climbed to second place in the North Lancs/Cumbria division table with the bonus-point win.

Although the hosts ran in five tries and were never really in danger of letting their winning position slip, it was the tough tackling of the highly-confident players that had Crouch smiling.

“Our defence is so much better,” he said. “It’s taken some time to get to where we are but now nobody can get near us and it’s made such a huge difference.

“The mood is fantastic. We go out there and we know we can win.”

Bolton started the match against the Cumbrian side well, creating plenty of pressure and going ahead through Ryan McClusky after Aspatria winger Ben Robinson had been sin-binned for illegal defending and, although the visitors hit back quickly when hooker Adam Cavanagh was driven over the line by his pack, Bolton were soon in full control.

Tries from Jack Robinson and Niall Murphy, supported by accurate kicking from man-of-the-match Mike Mills, gave Bolton a commanding 28-7 lead.

Aspatria fought back strongly late in the game but they were never within touching distance of the Cherry and Whites.

Louis Critchlow ran in a fourth try in the second period and the win was assured when a quick tap-and-go penalty put Murphy through for his second try of the match.

Bolton did have to weather something of a late storm as Aspatria scored two tries in the last 10 minutes through Patrick Noutch and Graham Andrews, but the result never looked in doubt.

Crouch said of the performance: “It was very good and we won well.

“We’ve got a small pack and they brought a big side as usual but we tackled well and the finishing was excellent.”

Crouch added he believes his team can hold on to their top-two place and the chance of promotion, but will be happy with his team’s progress, regardless of where they finish the campaign

“If we just keep winning we should get a play-off place, but we didn’t set out with a particular aim to do this or that,” he said.

“We just try to improve something every game and we’re doing that. We’ll continue doing that.

“If we get to the play-offs that will be fantastic. There’s loads to look forward to.”

Bolton are just three points behind league leaders De La Salle with three matches remaining. The league winners will be automatically promoted while the runners-up will face a play-off against the second-placed team from the South Lancs/Cheshire League.

Bolton are at home again this Saturday, when they will face Wigton, the last team to beat them, back in December.