RUGBY UNION: Commitment but no points

The trawlermen, relegated last year from the division above, have regrouped and have strengthened their squad in their quest to return.

Bolton stuck at the their most difficult game of the season but the home side always had too much for the visitors.

A spirited performance from the whole team, led to the Fleetwood players and officials praising Bolton's commitment to the game.

A penalty by Mark Higgin's gave Bolton little reward for their efforts, as there were times when Bolton dominated the game.

Fleetwood have invested heavily in their new recruits and brought back several players who left to play for neighbours Blackpool.

They now appear to be too strong not just for Bolton but for the rest of the division as they made it nine straight wins. Bolton can take heart from their performance, as the final result whilst never in doubt flattered the home side, who would need to have a disastrous second half to their season, not to get the promotion they so want.

pBOLTON'S thirds entertained neighbours Atherton and produced a spirited performance before going down 10-20.

Straight away the Bolton pack began to dominate the proceedings.

It was however the visitors who scored first with a break away try from deep in their own half. Atherton then added a second as Bolton were caught napping. Billy Craughton was unlucky not to score when he pounced on a mistake by the Atherton scrum half.

Dave Hulme reduced the gap with a penalty after the break and Derek Keogh then scored the converted try Bolton needed.

With the scores level Atherton regained the lead with a well executed drop goal from the base of the scrum. With Bolton pushing for the winner, Atherton sealed the game and a well deserved victory with the last score of the day.

pBOLTON vets accompanied the first team to Fleetwood and set off at a terrific pace, to race into a 17-0 lead.

The first try was scored by Joe Lomax and the second the best of the day by Lee Mann on the wing after numerous players had been involved. Pete Carletti added the conversion. Les Towler got the third from around the half way line and there appeared to be only one winner.

Fleetwood scored a try just before the half time whistle as Bolton took their foot off the gas slightly early.

The second half was totally unrecognisable as Bolton suffered at the hands of the referees whistle, with no possession and a stop start half, Bolton never got going and the home side replied with three further tries an two conversions to steal the game that should have been over at half time. BOLTON faced an uphill task at the weekend when they traveller to unbeaten league leaders Fleetwood.

The trawlermen, relegated last year from the division above, have regrouped and have strengthened their squad in their quest to return.

Bolton stuck at the their most difficult game of the season but the home side always had too much for the visitors.

A spirited performance from the whole team, led to the Fleetwood players and officials praising Bolton's commitment to the game.

A penalty by Mark Higgin's gave Bolton little reward for their efforts, as there were times when Bolton dominated the game.

Fleetwood have invested heavily in their new recruits and brought back several players who left to play for neighbours Blackpool.

They now appear to be too strong not just for Bolton but for the rest of the division as they made it nine straight wins. Bolton can take heart from their performance, as the final result whilst never in doubt flattered the home side, who would need to have a disastrous second half to their season, not to get the promotion they so want.

pBOLTON'S thirds entertained neighbours Atherton and produced a grafting performance before going down 10-20.

Straight away the Bolton pack began to dominate the proceedings.

It was however the visitors who scored first with a break away try from deep in their own half. Atherton then added a second as Bolton were caught napping. Billy Craughton was unlucky not to score when he pounced on a mistake by the Atherton scrum half.

Dave Hulme reduced the gap with a penalty after the break and Derek Keogh then scored the converted try Bolton needed.

With the scores level Atherton regained the lead with a well executed drop goal from the base of the scrum. With Bolton pushing for the winner, Atherton sealed the game and a well deserved victory with the last score of the day.

pBOLTON vets accompanied the first team to Fleetwood and set off at a terrific pace, to race into a 17-0 lead.

The first try was scored by Joe Lomax and the second the best of the day by Lee Mann on the wing after numerous players had been involved. Pete Carletti added the conversion. Les Towler got the third from around the half way line and there appeared to be only one winner.

Fleetwood scored a try just before the half time whistle as Bolton took their foot off the gas slightly early.

The second half was totally unrecognisable as Bolton suffered at the hands of the referees whistle, with no possession and a stop start half, Bolton never got going and the home side replied with three further tries an two conversions to steal the game that should have been over at half time.