BOLTON RUFC first team got their league campaign off to a flying start with a 35-23 victory in the second match at home to title favourites Blackpool at Avenue St.

The visitors who just pipped Bolton for second spot last year - and with paid players in their ranks - soon showed Bolton they meant business as they raced into a 17-point lead.

Hooker Gary Hodgkinson started to show the way as the pack started to win some ball against the big seasiders' forwards and the backs ran well with Steve Mullineaux and Pete Marriott scoring.

Paul Hunt scored a couple of good range tries and had two more disallowed. Dave Duabney nipped in for another score as the pack were gaining the upper hand, cool captain Nick Holmes slotting over all the conversions.

Bolton seconds, away at Blackpool seconds, pulled off another great win by 26 points to 14. Some excellent big hit tackling stopped the Blackpool side time and again and they always looked dangerous with a succession of quick counter attacks.

Mike Ince, with two tries and three conversions, improves with every game while John Hull and Damien O'Brien were quick and elusive in the backs.

Sean Crimmins made amends for the number of penalties he gave away with a crashing try.

The thirds put up another guttsy show in a re-arranged game at home to Preston Grasshoppers fourths but the Hoppers' class just showed through as they won 17-5.

Plenty of tackling and defensive play was the order of the day as only a Stuart Hughes try came, the same player missing the conversion, and full back Terry Knapman was the pick of a Bolton side always on the back foot.

With no fourth team game Bolton Vets started their season with a trip to Blackpool Vets where the result was in the balance until the final whistle with the home side just sneaking home 20-19.

Bolton fought well up front with Steve Rushmore scoring a good try. Allan Smith scored a couple a super tries and Pete Fishwick, who had a big game at the line out, added a couple of conversions.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.