Bolton Mets 22, Rochdale Mayfield 18

WHAT a difference a week makes.

Bolton Mets ARLFC entertained Rochdale Mayfield in Round One of the North West Counties Cup, fielding a full compliment of players for the first time this year.

Both sides looked evenly matched in the early exchanges, then after 10 minutes Mayfield's forward broke though to open the scoring. They followed up with another to give them a 10-0 advantage.

The Mets replied after a spell of sustained pressure. Forward Stuart Rogers made the initial break, with hooker Alex Thomas diving over the line from acting half.

Two of Bolton's midweek signings, Simon Brown at prop and Neil Bolton at centre, were causing the Rochdale outfit lots of problems. Brown had his reward just before the break, barging through a packed defence to give Mets the lead.

Into the second half and Mayfield reclaimed the lead with a fine try in the corner. Bolton blooded two more new recruits, Jason Cheetham at centre and Ian Proudman at acting scrum half.

But it was second rower Dave Cains' solo effort that gave the lead back to the Mets, breaking several tackles before scoring under the sticks. Full back Andy Bowling converted, bringing his tally to three tries from three games.

Mayfield still looked dangerous and another try from them made the score 18-18 at the end of the 80 minutes.

Being a cup game, the match entered extra time and Mets once again proved they play their best rugby in the later stages by clinching a famous win.

Bolton's fifth new player, Jon Atherton, was already on the park and together with stalwart prop Colin Crompton and fellow forwards Mick Booth and Ryan Terry, they took the game to the Rochdale side.

Full back Bowling was the player who crossed the line for the vital Mets try, although another try from Cain racing down the wing was disallowed.

Next week the Mets are at home again against Warrington outfit Woolston Rovers. Kick-off is at 2.30pm at South Avenue, Kearsley.