BOLTON Mets got that Friday feeling when they chalked up their third win in 13 league games with a 34-24 home victory over Higginshaw.

In a double boost, Mets earned four points instead of the usual two because the league agreed to the game being played for double points as the reverse fixture at Higginshaw had previously been postponed twice and there were no dates available to reschedule a third time.

Head coach Al Scarbrough described the performance as "the most mature" during his time in charge.

He said: "They showed courage, determination, skill in execution, heart, teamwork and, most importantly, the desire to support each other.”

The home win lifted the Avenue Street men one place up to seventh in North West Division Five, just four points off fourth-placed Higginshaw.

Mets had a strong squad of 20 at their disposal for the game which was brought forward due to the England football team's World Cup match.

They went 6-0 ahead when captain Rick Ackers scored after a quick tap penalty caught the Higginshaw defence napping, and Daryl Devlin added the extra two points.

Higginshaw pulled it level and the game remained even with winger Will Bate busting through an attempted tackle to touch down and Devlin again converting before the visitors replied in kind to make it 12-12 before taking an 18-12 lead.

It was to be the only time they would be ahead as Bate and Ste Hickey scored before the break with Devlin adding the extras on both occasions to give the Bolton side a 24-18 advantage.

The gap became 10 points when Bate ran half the length of the field to complete his hat-trick.

A solid defensive performance led by Gareth Hession and backed up by strong runs by Paul Charnock, Rory Biggins and Martyn Mercer were important factors in the victory, as was the team's game management in the second half.

Connor Orrell carried the ball well, and a long way, from deep in his own half on several occasions, one of which provided the platform for Mets to score on the hour – another solo effort from Hickey which Devlin slotted over to make it 34-18 before the visitors had the last score.

Bate was selected by the opposition as man of the match with Chris Highton and Ste Hickey runners-up, and Hession received the top tackler award.

On Saturday, Mets travel to Bury Broncos A, aiming to do the double over the Whitefield-based side.