RUGBY UNION: Bolton's first team remained on the fringes of the promotion race with victory at a Garstang team who have caused a number of teams problems this season.

The home side also proved tough opponents for the Avenue Street men, but it was not enough to halt Bolton’s impressive run of form.

The victory in a scrappy, hard-fought affair cemented Bolton’s fifth place in the North Lancashire League Division One.

Bolton started strongly with skipper James Brodie continuing in the same vein as the previous week with a scintillating performance.

He constantly led his side, starting off by crossing for Bolton's first try.

The Avenue Street side took a foothold in the game when Geoff Earle, an early-season signing from Lostock, increased the lead by latching onto a defence-splitting 20-yard pass from veteran fly half Lovgreen to score his first try for the club.

Bolton had made a number of changes to their line-up and their lack of cohesion and inability to capitalise on their lead due to the changes allowed fifth-bottom Garstang back into the match and finish with a scoreline which flattered them.

Bolton can expect to face a much tougher test at home to third-placed Trafford Metrovick on Saturday when they will need to produce an improved performance if they are going to maintain their momentum and keep their recent run of good results going.

Bolton second team dominated Wigan in a 40-5 victory at Avenue Street.

Led by Alan Catterall and able supported by Mike Singleton and the boot of captain Chris Turner, they controlled the game from the start.

Centres Rees and Chris Singleton made good ground throughout and Wigan rarely ventured outside their own 22 area.

Bolton proved much too strong for their opponents as they moved up to seventh in their league.

In another one-sided game at Avenue Street, Bolton fourth team hammered neighbours Chorley. John Singleton repeated the feat of his second-team-scoring son, Chris, by scoring early in the game from a traditional driving maul, whilst the return of Paul Hunt to the back row brought some welcome bite to a pack which allowed Chorley no respite all afternoon.

Jason Patel was outstanding in defence with some superb cover tackles, as was Sam Sutton Reid, in an impressive team performance which produced their fifth win of the campaign.

Bolton thirds travelled to table-toppers Fleetwood thirds and, despite superb performances by two of their home-grown colts in Gage Rosimus and Declan Hampson, they went down 74-12 to a much more experienced side.