Hutton 1st XV 31 v 18 Bolton 1st XV

The match was played in blazing sunshine, and it was Bolton who matched the weather and started brightest. Early territorial advantage allowed Bolton's strong forward runners to get on the front foot and after a series of string carries, Bolton found themselves twenty metres from the Hutton line. The ball was passed out to fly half Danny Joseph was gave a short ball to flanker Ash Cooper, who powered his way through four Hutton defenders to score the opening try of the match.

This early score gave Bolton huge confidence and they continued to dominate the early exchanges. Strong running from Captain Chris Cockton and Matthew Parrish along with good line out ball from second row John Stryker was continuing to give Bolton the edge.

Hutton's organised defence kept Bolton at bay, until a driving maul from a lineout proved too powerful for the home side's defence and Cockton emerged as the scorer underneath the pile of bodies. Bolton now found themselves in a 10-0 lead with the chance of a four try bonus point a very real possibility.

The Cherry and Whites capitalised on their superiority and following another attacking platform provided from a lineout, second row Dave Ormes powered over for Bolton's third try and a 15-0 lead.

Hutton's inevitable comeback began soon after and following a missed tackle down the blindside after a scrum, Hutton's winger dived in at the corner to register their first points of the match. Bolton's lead was now cut to 15-5.

To their credit, Bolton didn't let up the pressure and after a Hutton indiscretion in their 22, scrum half Nic Lever kicked the resulting penalty to stretch Bolton's lead to 18-5.

All Bolton's early dominance and endeavour was however to be reversed either side of half time, with Hutton scoring their second try before half time. Both of Hutton's tries came from Bolton errors, and the fact the half time score was only 18-10, was a result of sloppy Bolton errors in an otherwise excellent attacking display in the first period.

Hutton came out like a different team in the second half and straight away pinned Bolton in their own half. An attacking Hutton scrum led to their number eight releasing their blindside winger, who inexplicably ran unchallenged to score in the corner. Bolton's hard earned lead was now slipping away and Hutton were on the front foot.

More problems followed as a high tackle and the resulting skirmish saw both teams being reduced to fourteen men. The home side adapted better and after more attacking set piece ball, scored their fourth try and took the lead 18-21.

From then on, apart from some strong carries from Dave Bruen and John Keech in the centres and aggressive defence from Chris Mee, Bolton faded out of the match, with Hutton running in two further tries. Bolton will take heart from some a strong first quarter, but will realise that in this league, their mistakes will be punished. They have the chance to bounce back next week at home against Tarleton.