Bolton 18 Didsbury 22: BOLTON were desperately disappointed not to have beaten a Didsbury side that have finished title runners-up in the last two seasons, and who were tipped for the championship at the start of this season.

The chances were there for Bolton to win the game, but late decisions to run the ball rather than opt for kickable penalties, could have brought them their 22-18 defeat.

Bolton opened brightly but it was the visitors who went ahead with two early tries.

A determined effort by the pack then took Bolton up into Didsbury's 22 and two tries eventually came, the first by scrum half Danny Ryder, who dived over after the pack had disrupted Didsbury's scrum. The second came after the ball had been constantly recycled and flanker Paul Sutcliffe raced over the line.

It was a terrific response by Bolton and it looked as if they would arrive at half time level. Yet full back Steve Kriel's kick through was charged down and the Didsbury number eight went over to leave an easy kick for a 17 -10 lead.

The visitors then stretched their lead to 22-10 with a soft try, before Bolton's forwards at last started to totally dominate with Liam Mitchell bossing the line-out.

Steve Kriel crossed to bring the score back to 22-15, and Neil Brooks added a penalty to narrow the difference to only four points. Bolton then looked as if they had snatched victory when prop Hartwig Driemeyer crossed the line. The Didsbury defence, however, held the Bolton man up in the tackle, leaving the referee in no doubt that the ball had not been grounded.

On Saturday the firsts face a difficult league game away at Heaton Moor.