BOLTON RUFC had to sit things out on Saturday afternoon as their two remaining opponents, Broughton and Didsbury, played other outstanding league matches.

The first team squad used the occasion to get in some much needed practice, before they meet their opponents.

Bolton officials are still trying to get final dates for the games and this Wednesday evening is still a possibility against Broughton, who suffered a heavy defeat on Saturday against Tyldesley.

Bolton received some good news, and bad news from the other league games played, as Heaton Moor beat Burnage convincingly to pull back two points on Bolton, and at the same time dragged Burnage back into the relegation pot. Two points now separate five teams with Broughton stranded at the bottom.

Two wins from their last games would not only secure Bolton's league status, but would see them finish in a comfortable mid-table position.

Bolton fielded only two sides at the weekend, the first a team consisting of mainly third teamers travelled to Leigh. Bolton struggled against an experienced side and the tone of the match was set early on as the Leigh forwards crashed over for a unconverted try. A penalty attempt by Bolton drifted marginally wide and the score remained five nil in Leigh favours at half time.

Bolton strengthened their team with the introduction of Darryl Leach in the backs and Phil Houston into the pack. However it was Leigh who continued to boss the game, as Bolton could not maintain possession, leaving Leigh with several try scoring chances which they took. A late attempt by the Bolton pack fell just short of the line and Leigh had the final word as they scored in the corner to give a full time score of 31-0.

Bolton's vets entertained a strong Oldham veterans team at Avenue Street, with several players looking slightly jaded from the club's successful sportsman's dinner the night before!

Controlled

Bolton however controlled the game after weathering an early Oldham onslaught and scrum half Mike Bray opened the scoring after Bolton's front row of Ball, Fernside and Norris had stolen the ball against the head. Mark Brocklehurst increased their lead further, when he finished off a good passage of play, both tries were converted from out wide by Duncan Trench. Brocklehurst then undid his good work, gifting Oldham their score with an intercepted pass, which led to an Oldham player being taken out illegally as he was about to cross the line, the referee having no option but to award a penalty try.

The second half saw further scores for Derek Keogh and Martyn Higgins, one converted by Bray, as Bolton constantly ran at the visitors with some good open rugby, Mark Turner and Kevin McGill being the main instigators. Oldham responded with a late score to give a final score of Bolton 26 Oldham 14.