BASEMENT battlers Bolton Mets again ran out of steam losing 42-2 to league leaders Widnes Ball.

The Mets started strongly, with second rowers Dave Cain and Ryan Terry making their presence felt in the early stages, but Widnes opened the scoring giving them a 6-0 advantage into the second quarter before Bolton started to push their opponents back.

Camped on the Widnes lines the Mets collected two points from a penalty and were unfortunate not to score a try with drives from centre Gaz Cartwright and prop Stuart Rogers.

It was only 6-2 at the break but in the second-half Widnes stepped up a gear and started to run tries in despite the heroic efforts from the Mets defence, particularly forward Ralph Sherrington and scrum half Mark Green.

Widnes' superior fitness was the key factor in the latter stages giving them a comfortable final tally, which was not a true reflection on the Bolton performance.

Next week the Mets are at home to Waterhead of Oldham meeting at 1pm, (that is if the ground staff can work miracles again on the Newhouse Farm mire).