BOLTON received two things on Saturday afternoon, firstly the RFU awarded the long-awaited championship trophy from last season and secondly, a lesson in good rugby from visitors Tyldesley.

The visitors opened up the game with two tries in the first five minutes as Bolton did not appear to have any desire for the game.

Firstly Tyldesley ran a short penalty move which their forwards scored with ease as the defence stood back.

The second came from a poor clearance which found the visitors full back in space once more poor tackling gave the player time to off load the ball in the tackle for another try, both leaving easy conversions.

Fourteen points down it looked as if the visitors could run in a huge score, Bolton eventually managed to rise to the task and three penalties from the boot of Ince for offences at rucks, regained some credibility to the scoreline.

Edwards was having his best game at full back and was constantly making inroads into the visitors defence.

However all Bolton's hard work disappeared in one mistake, the ball was spilled in the lineout and the Tyldesley back row kicked the ball through, Edwards cleared the ball into touch but from the resulting lineout Tyldesley used two forward runners to punch holes and the right wing was left with an easy score as the defence was shattered.

Bolton responded but could not break through a well organised defence having to settle for yet another penalty from Ince.

Bolton constantly appeared to be unable to maintain a consistency in their play and Tyldesley finished the first half scoring with a penalty after Hunt was unfortunate to be penalised at a tackle.

With a score of 22-12 to the visitors the game was not over but Bolton had a lot of hard work to do to get anything from the game. The second half opened up with Tyldesley awarded a free kick for closing the gaps at the lineout, once more the visiting pack opted to run the ball and the Bolton defence failed to stop the powerful charges of the runners, with the extra point kicked the game was effectively over as a contest.

Tyldesley continued to press and another try soon followed and once more the score was running away from the home side. Captain Peter Jackson left the field with a hamstring injury and Ben McDermots ankle finally gave in, an injury he picked up in the warm up.

The introduction of winger Steven Morrison into the centre gave Bolton more spirit and they were rewarded with a try, as from a short line out Hunt scored from the following ruck.

Ince added the conversion and then kicked a further penalty after strong running from Morrison led to an offence.

With the score back within two tries Tyldesley had enough in reserve to kill off any thoughts of a comeback and with the Bolton backs offside they extended their lead once more.

The final try of the game came as the Tyldesley full back capped a fine display with a good try from distance as he fielded a clearance kick.

A final scoreline of Bolton 22 Tyldesley 44 was well deserved by Tyldesley who had too much pace and more options when they attacked, the forwards looking far more comfortable on the ball giving the Bolton tacklers a torrid time with their direct approach. Bolton can take heart from a reasonable performance against a side that should be challenging for honours but if they are to survive at this level of rugby they need to produce the goods more consistently throughout the game and can ill afford to give away a two try lead before they start to play.

The side must now prepare themselves for a difficult away game at De La Salle, rugby league players Simon Knox and Paul Rowley are helping out with training this Tuesday, all players and any interested newcomers are asked to attend at the club for 7.00pm.

qBOLTON Second XV travelled to Tyldesley and won a hard-fought game 13 -12, last minute changes due to injuries and travel problems saw a changed team take the game to the home side and in a game dominated by the defences a Barlow penalty was the only first half score.

Tyldesley responded with two tries, one converted to stretch their lead.

In the last quarter of the game Bolton pushed their opponents and another penalty from Barlow closed the gap. Bolton finally broke through as Youngman scored to bring the visitors within one point, Barlow the young Bolton full back showed great composure to kick the conversion and seal the victory. Houston, O'Byrne and Kelly were dominant for Bolton in the forwards.

The only downside of the game was the sin binning of the Bolton captain Peter Carletti and his opposite stand-off after a scuffle. The normally mild-mannered player now holds the unfortunate title of the first player in the club's history to visit the new sin bin area.

Bolton thirds recovered from last weeks mauling to hand out a similar scoreline to visitors Littleborough, Hackin led the try rout with his strong running proving too powerful for the Boro.

Rigby scored two from the wing, Simon Baker scoring his first for the club and Barnes completing a good performance with a score. Clarke kicked three conversions to give a final score of 36 - 0, with full back Taff Wallbank marshalling the game from deep and Andrew Holland having a good game at ten.

The vets travelled to Preston with their now regular team of mainly forwards and competed in a good game losing 49-4, against strong opposition.

Greg Nicol scoring both Bolton tries, one-time Bolton player and now a 'Hopper Guy Topping donned a red and white shirt and kicked both conversions, as the vets now look forward to next week's tournament at Fleetwood.