Bolton 25 Ashton-under-Lyne 5

RUGBY UNION: Bolton built on a fantastic start to 2010 by once again winning a game that in previous years had proved a tough fixture.

A terrific defensive performance laid the foundation for victory while the pack was dominant, despite missing four of their regular starting eight because of injuries.

The Ashton side never seriously threatened and while Cooper was again outstanding for the Bolton 15, it was veteran skipper Brodie who urged his team forward time and again.

Bolton and Pritchard played well in the centre and, with good supply, they threatened constantly.

Pritchard, Brodie and Cooper ran in the tries with Lovgreen landing four goals.

Captain Mark Crow played a key role in Bolton 2nds’ 29-20 victory over Kirkby Lonsdale.

Leading through a Leigh try, converted by Danny Barlow, Bolton lost their concentration, allowing the visitors to surge ahead with two penalties and two converted tries.

But Crow stepped up to the plate and led a surge for a try which Barlow converted.

Bolton started the second half in determined mood and good running from the backs forced the visitors to concede a penalty which Singleton landed, then, playing with greater intelligence and using their strengths, the forwards paved the way for Catterall to score a well-worked team try.

With the backs in control, Singleton created great space for Rees run into and score the decisive try under the posts five minutes from time.

Walsh grabbed a late score to earn Bolton 3rds a dramatic 23-22 victory over powerful Cumbrian club Upper Eden — only their second win of the campaign.

Bolton welcomed the addition of James Gisborn and Dan Thomas who have joined the club since coming to study at Bolton University.

Crimmins was the game’s star player while tries from Gisborn and Hughes were the highlights before Walsh’s late clincher.

Bolton 4ths, who had two second-rowers in their back line, had no answer to younger, pacier opposition as they went down 46-10 away to Garstang 3rds.

The early loss of stand-off Dean, who went off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by a prop forward, proved a major handicap.

Sutton-Reid and Nother crossed for Bolton’s consolation tries.