Bolton 1st XV 36 v 3 North Manchester 1st XV

Despite the eventual victory, it was the visitors to Avenue Street who started the better side, and after some poor missed tackles, North Manchester found themselves in the Bolton 22. Good scrambling defence from the Cherry and Whites prevented them from scoring, but an infringement at the breakdown led to a North penalty, which was converted.

This poor start rattled in form Bolton into life, and from the resulting kick off, they started to get their quick rucking game going. Strong carries from the impressive Tony McClaughlin and Chris Mee gave Bolton a solid platform to score, the try was duly provided by winger Marcus O'Donoghue, who finished brilliantly under pressure in the corner, after a trademark tackle bust and break from centre Will Bate. The conversion was missed, but Bolton had a foothold in the game at 5-3 ahead.

North's early enthusiasm was quickly being overshadowed by Bolton's dominance in both the set piece and in broken play, with Nick Sandbrook dominating both on the floor and in the air. This forward platform was giving scrum half Mark Doherty quick ball to feed Bolton's agile backline. It was from such quick ball the Rhys Pritchard and Bate combining to send the marauding Alex Waddicar under the posts for his first try on home soil for the 1st XV. Doherty duly converted to give the cherry and Whites a 12-3 lead.

As the confidence began to sap away from their visitors, Bolton saw the opportunity for a four try bonus point and it was the muscle up front that led to the third try. A dominant ruck with experienced props Gareth Evans and Sam Hilton at the epicentre, bullied their way to the line, with Doherty sniping round the fringes to score. Doherty converted himself to give Bolton a 19-3 lead with half time fast approaching.

With Bolton pushing for the four try bonus point, the pace of their game increased, with back rowers Dave Ormes and Giles Makinson providing dynamism at the breakdown. This dispersed the strong North forwards, giving Pritchard the smallest of gaps to run through and score on his return to the side after injury. Doherty converted and Bolton not only had a 26-3 lead at half time, but they had secured the bonus point.

The focus for the second half was not the let their opponents back into the match, which had happened last week against Garstang, and although Bolton added to their score through a penalty and a well taken try from the evergreen Sam Hilton, there were more point on offer that we're squandered. The kick offs were also an area which must be improved of they are to gain a sixth win in a row away against Burnley next week, who are level on points in the table.