RUGBY UNION: Hutton proved too strong for an under-strength Bolton side in the first round of the Lancashire Plate.

North Lancs One newcomers Preston-based Hutton had too much all-round ability for the scratch Bolton side and played a fast and physical game that overwhelmed the home team’s normally hard-hitting, strong tackling defensive game.

There were bright signs for Bolton in the backs, particularly captain Greg Abbott and winger James Howarth looking strong with the ball in hand and making some impressive gains through the defence. However, the Hutton defence was too disciplined to be broken and they repelled all of Bolton’s forays toward the tryline The Bolton forwards fought to retain as much ball as possible, but were overwhelmed by the larger Hutton pack particularly in the scrum.

Although the Hutton lineout looked weaker than their scrum, Bolton could not make this pay dividends and could not apply enough pressure to make it count. The game was not without positives, however, with many of the players coming through to make their first team debuts in this, probably their toughest game of rugby to date.

The season starts in earnest this weekend and all four teams will be kicking off their league campaigns, with the first team playing away at Salford-based outfit De La Salle in what will surely be another tough physical game.

With the lessons learned from this weekend it should be a great game.