BOLTON Mets ARLFC had a disastrous start to their 22-6 defeat against Widnes Tigers on Saturday.

A clash of heads in the first tackle sent two of the Mets' most experienced players to the hospital.

It took Bolton most of the first half to settle and the away side forged a 16-0 lead by half time.

Widnes scored another try from an interception against the run of play but the Mets were finally rewarded for their efforts when Mark Dorning finished off a break by scrum half Mark Green.

Prop Stuart Rogers led the charge in the second half, also with strong drives from centre Gaz Cartwright and loose forward Mark Dorning.

Coach Chris Brown stated after the match: "The freak accident in the opening minutes unsettled the team and we struggled in the first half. However we were the better of the two sides after the break."

Next week's game is away, meeting at the Hare and Hounds at 12.30pm.