Match Preview

This weekend, Hawcoat Park are the visitors to Avenue Street and come in on the back of a resounding 71-3 victory of league strugglers Ashton-Under-Lyne, a win that has put them 4 points clear of Silloth Tigers and the relegation zone with games in hand over the 4 teams above them. The win was only their 6th of the campaign, one of which came against Bolton back in October of 2015. Their away form has brought them only 2 wins from 8 games, whilst Bolton remain one of only two teams that are unbeaten on home soil. The other being our current league leaders St Benedicts.

Bolton come into the game on the back of a hard fought victory away at Fleetwood, but with 2 losses from their last 5 games meaning their recent form hasn't been great. If Nick Holmes' team wish to maintain their challenge for promotion then games like this are vital and they must do their utmost to ensure they remain within reach of Aspatria who face Tyldesley at home.

The last game between the two went Hawcoat Park's way after a less than impressive performance from the Cherry and Whites, but one in which it was felt the Bolton set piece wasn't well rewarded. Bolton must target this area and provide space for their pacey backline if they are to make the most of the forecast conditions and come away with a win. Hawcoat are a dogged side who can fight it out up front and have some pace out wide but predominantly rely on their forward pack to get them over the line, particularly through the use of driving mauls and pick and go's. Bolton must be able to combat this from the off and implement their own gameplan under pressure if they are to keep the pressure on the top placed teams.