Bolton 1st XV 26 Bury 16

IN an age of highly competitive league rugby, friendly games are a rarity, particularly where Bolton and Bury are concerned.

However in this non-league clash Bolton were determined to develop their new found playing style that has begun to turn around their season.

From the kick-off, Bolton won excellent possession and immediately stretched Bury's defence with the ball being recycled through separate phases. They were unlucky not to score early on, and it was left to Guy Lovgreen to open the scoring with a penalty after a Bury infringement.

The strength of Bolton's play was their ability to link forward and backs play, and Bury, who currently play in a league above Bolton, could not cope with the pressure, giving away numerous penalties which allowed Bolton to stretch their lead to 9 - 3. But with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, a lapse in concentration allowed Bury to snatch a converted try and a further penalty.

After the break Bolton were determined not to lose their grip on the game and upped the pressure. Man of the match Santo Castro caught a high ball and weaved his way past several players to score one of the best tries of the season and Lovgreen added the extra three points.

The game sat finely balanced at 16 each before Bolton once again took the upper hand when centre Steve Morrison scored following an outstanding passage of play involving virtually every set of hands in the team. Lovgreen added aconversion and a penalty.

Bolton 2nds travelled to Bury and suffered a rare 14-0 defeat. The Bury pack were too strong for Bolton's forwards and consequently they dominated the game.

Bolton 3rds were too strong for Lostock and won 29-17. Bolton started strongly with Pat Smyth crossing the line for the first try within five minutes.

Lostock bounced back with three tries, but galvanised by the sin-binning of fly-half Greg McMillan, Bolton hit back with a penalty try. and a Darren Miller conversion.

Derek Keogh levelled the scores before Bolton took charge after further tries from Darren Miller - his first for the club, and Jim Ransell, who won a chip chase.

A workmanlike performance from a 14-man Vets side saw them overcome Bury 29-7. Lee Mann and Guy Topping, grabbed two tries each, with one from Mark Brocklehurst and two Topping conversions.