RUGBY UNION: Bolton's hopes of a winning start in the North Lancashire Division One were dealt a bitter blow when their match at De La Salle was ended nine minutes early after a series of ugly scuffles.

Despite trailing 25-5 after the Salford side had run in four tries in a 20-minute purple patch, a second try from winger Pritchard put Bolton back in with a chance.

But a couple of fouls on the wing man sparked a skirmish which prompted the referee to call time.

Bolton were disappointed with the early finish, believing they were getting stronger while the experienced Salford outfit were tiring and losing their grip on the game.

They were missing a couple of regulars but still turned in an impressively-solid performance built on a strong defence.

De La Salle had little joy in the final third with Bolton dominating the set pieces and dictating play.

They were disappointed to go in at half time with the scoreboard blank. But they went out for the second period looking the better side again and took a deserved lead when Pritchard rounded off an outstanding team effort, after four phases of well-organised work from a scrum.

The game turned ugly with several scuffles affecting the pattern of the game and De La Salle romped into a 25-5 lead.

Bolton were disappointed with the decisions of the officials which led to two of the home side’s four tries. But they regrouped and when Pritchard used his pace to score in the corner from a line-out, they had their tails up — only to be frustrated by the early finish.

The third team was the only other Bolton side to beat the weather and they also lost despite holding the upper hand in their first league game at Hutton.

Their lack of a cutting edge was crucial in seeing them lose 12-0 on the outskirts of Preston in Division Three.

Hutton went in front on 25 minute with a converted try and went further ahead 10 minutes later with an unconverted try in the corner after some clever wing play.

The second half saw Bolton make several substitutions in the forwards and Joe Waller came on and produced a man-of-the-match performance.

Bolton dominated the game and spent an unbroken 30-minute spell in the opposition half with some sterling performances by the back line.

Disappointingly, they could not convert their pressure into points.

On Saturday the first team are at home to Didsbury Toc H.