Ashton on Mersey 17 Bolton 5

BOLTON travelled to Ashton on Mersey and despite suffering a 17-7 defeat, turned in a performance of grit and spirit.

Late changes to the Bolton starting line up highlighted the growing depth of the squad as several second team players filled voids by cry offs and no shows.

Scrum half Andy Leigh, returning after injury, controlled his impressive forwards well from the off and strong runs from Dave O'Byrne and Kieran Hill put Ashton on the back foot.

However it was Ashton who drew first blood when it could so easily have been Bolton chalking up the first points after a swift exchange of passes gave Higgins and his centres Les Towler and Pete Marriott the chance to break, but Ashton stole an interception try. The successful conversion gave Ashton a 7-0 lead.

Bolton began playing some fast flowing rugby with slick interpassing between Marriott, Miles Edwards and winger Dave Hulme before Mark Higgins was sin-binned along with an ASSshton forward.

Bolton made changes after the break and straight from the kick off, burst through the home defence with O'Byrne, Hill and Lloyd Green pressing before Higgins powered over from a quick tap penalty.

The conversion was missed and there was another blow when Hill was sin-binned.Ashton extended the lead with a penalty to 10-5, but Bolton battled back, exherting great pressure on there opponents. However the pressure didn't pay off and against the run of play Ashston swept in the corner for a converted try to lead 17-5.

Bolton's thirds travelled to Eccles and lost narrowly 12 - 5, the result was always in the balance with the home side just deserving victory.

Bolton Vets entertained Ashton on Mersey and ran out comfortable winners 38 - 0. Bolton's try scorers in a much changed team included Peter Hackin 2, Antony Turner, Greg McMillan, Danny Barlow and debutant Gary Matheson.

Sunday saw the first old boys game between the two remaining rugby playing schools, Thornleigh Salesian College and Bolton School. Thornleigh won a tough encounter 12 - 0, thanks to tries by Fernside and Holden and a conversion by Henderson. The much younger Boltonian side had lots of possession but failed to breach the tenacious defence of the very Old Salesians.

The game, played in front of an enthusiastic crowd may become an annual event when, and if, the players have recovered from their initial encounter.