BOLTON narrowly lost their Lancashire Plate match 22-14 at Wirral side St Edwards Old Boys. Travel delays forced a late start and Bolton still had lead in their boots as the Saints strolled ahead. As the game progressed Bolton came more and more into it and Paul Hunt grabbed a couple of tries with captain Nick Holmes adding the conversions.

The pack was in good form with Dave Wilson the pick and if pressure and effort won matches Bolton should have won this contest.

The 2nds were at Buxton and in the near perfect conditions produced another excellent performance winning 47-0. The big,powerful Buxton pack were never left to settle right from the first whistle, and the win was thoroughly deserved.

Ben McDermott and Stuart Hughes led the way with two each and Steve Forrester, Dave Ball and Marcus Rigby all contributing, with Dave Cottril's try something special. Mike Ince adding two conversions and a penalty.

Bolton 3rds sneaked through at Ashton by the tightest of margins in a 22-21 win. Tries came from the excellent Andy Tither, Stuart Catherall, Gareth Rodgers, who added a conversion and Simon Clarke who was always dangerous.

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