BOLTON went into their home clash with Hutton in confident mood and were looking to avenge a narrow defeat in a cup match earlier in the season.

With virtually a full squad to choose from, coaches Guy Lovgreen and Alex Youngman had free reign to pick a team to do it.

However, Hutton were not in the mood to be beaten.

Bolton started the game well with some excellent moves orchestrated by the backs. Bolton’s forwards were not to be outshone by the backs and they did not disappoint with strong runs by Brodie, Youngman, and the impressive Cooper.

Bolton’s early hard work was in vain with Hutton playing some impressive rugby and running over the whitewash three times with two of them converted.

Bolton’s second team produced a superb 25-10 victory at Hutton. They have now played three of the top four teams in recent weeks and lost narrowly in two games.

After a nervous start, Bolton took the lead through Will Swift, the conversion missed by Barlow.

Bolton continued to pile the pressure on with good work from the forwards, in particular Dave Evans and Stephen Beesley.

The tempo of the game seemed to frustrate Hutton who continued to give away penalties around the breakdown area. It was decided to take the points on two different occasions as Barlow slotted six more points before half-time.

Bolton felt confident of building on the score and started the second half as they finished the first.

Ten minutes into the second half Mike Singleton chipped the ball over the frail Hutton backline and Jeremy Reese sprinted onto the loose ball and gathered before racing and finishing a 60-metre try. Barlow converted to make the score 18-0 to Bolton.

The second half took a turn for the worse as Hutton’s loose head prop left the field with an ankle injury, forcing the sides to play uncontested scrums. This made the game more even for Hutton who were struggling in the scrumage area.

Midway through the half Hutton kicked a penalty to make it 18-3. Bolton then marched up the field through excellent work from Mark Crow and Bobby Bolton.

The side were rewarded shortly after as a crisp backs move was finished by captain Chris Turner. Barlow again added the extras to make the score 25-3 to Bolton who conceded a try after the referee sent three players to the sin-bin.

Bolton’s third team went down 15-6 to league leaders Clitheroe.

Bolton were looking to register their first win in the league this season. The game started well for Bolton with the forwards getting the upper hand over the Clitheroe pack with strong running and set piece play.

Hard tackling by all members of the Bolton team was impressive, particularly by the father and son Steve and Scott Knibb who were playing together for the first time in competitive rugby.

Bolton’s hard running and rucking game proved frustrating for Clitheroe, and Ben Harwood calmly slotted two penalties between the uprights.

It was only the stout defending of Clitheroe that prevented Bolton from crossing the whitewash.

Clitheroe kicked three points then scored an unconverted try in the last five minutes.

Bolton, behind for the first time, chased the win and were punished by a last-minute Clitheroe try.

Bolton’s fourth team were narrowly beaten 32-29 by Rossendale’s third team.