With a bumper crowd of past players down on the sidelines, the Cherry and White's where in no mood to relinquish the Fortress Status that Avenue Street has earned.

Several changes in the starting line up meant that Ben Stubbs got his first start at loose head prop, Ash Cooper and Alex Youngman returned to action on the flanks and Mike Richardson lined up on the wing.

The match started at a furious pace with Bolton dominating possession in both open play and at the set piece, their game plan was running smoothly and the Cumbrian visitors were constantly on the back foot. This pressure paid dividends when a fast flowing backs move was expertly worked to send Mike Richardson over in the corner, much to the delight of the large and noisy home crowd. Mark Doherty was unable to add the extras from the touchline.

Bolton maintained the pressure on the visiting side and through the strong direct running of Chris Mee, Ash Cooper and Tony McLaughlin they managed to create another opportunity for the backs division, marshalled well all day by fly half James Singleton, to find a second score. Only good scramble defence was able to keep Bolton out. With possession still in their favour, the forwards mounted an attack towards the whitewash and a trademark Gaz Pritchard score was the inevitable result with Doherty on target with the boot to give Bolton a 12-0 lead.

Benedicts looked shell shocked and Bolton were well on top to take the game in the first half but lack of concentration and some increasingly interesting decisions from the official had Bolton camped back in their own half. Bolton's only let off was the usually trustworthy boot of the visiting number 10 was way off radar with a number of kicks to touch going dead and chips over the top going to a Bolton hand.

With just over 25 minutes gone Bolton were reduced to 14 men as Cooper was sin binned following a number of penalties at the breakdown. Bolton were made to defend hard during his absence but were unable to keep Benedicts from crossing the line for a 5 pointer. The kicker made up for his earlier poor form and slotted the 2 points from the touchline. 12-7. Cooper's return to the fray shored up the Bolton side, but they still seemed unable to string together the form that had seen them dominate so early on.

Half time came and coach Nick Holmes rang the changes. Sam Hilton came into the front row for Ben Stubbs and the ever present Matthew Parrish came on for Tony McLaughlin into the second row. The chat between the players was all about playing the phases and breaking down the defence as they had done at the start of the game.

Bolton started the half with a renewed vigour and took the game to their opponents with Parrish making his presence known across the park and once again getting the backs onto the front foot. Man of the match Will Bate worked some of his magic in midfield and took Bolton into the Benedicts half. Illegal play at the ruck provided Doherty with an opportunity for three which he duly took taking the score to 15-7.

Once again Bolton took their foot off the pedal and allowed Benedicts into the game. A harsh yellow card for Gaz Pritchard on the half way line gave Benedicts the advantage which they took despite some stalwart defending from Hilton, Captain Chris Cockton and Louis Critchlow. A benedicts scrum in the Bolton half provided them with the platform from which to launch their attack, an attack which saw them going over in the corner but with the conversion missed it left Bolton in the lead at 15-12.

When Pritchard returned from his 10 minute rest his presence was felt throughout the team and Bolton began to attack they had done in the early stages of the game. Pressure told and Benedicts began to give away penalties allowing Bolton to kick for the corner as they searched for two more tries and the try bonus point. From the ensuing line out a maul was set up and illegally collapsed by the defending side. In light of Bolton's two earlier cards, the home crowd were crying cynical play but to no avail as the official let the player off without a warning. A second line was taken 5m out and again the maul was set up and again illegally collapsed. From the penalty Cockton opted for the scrum, knowing his pack held the upper hand in that department. Cheered on from the sidelines the forwards started to take the ball forward but were broken up just short. From a ruck Louis Critchlow was able to pick up and barge over for his 3rd try of the season. Doherty easily converted the extras and Bolton were on the hunt for the elusive bonus point.

Once again Coach Holmes rang the changes bringing Stubbs and McLaughlin back into the frame for Mee and Critchlow. The fresh legs helped Bolton put in a last minute surge but a turnover in the benedicts 22 was punted down the pitch were it was duly knocked off the pitch by a Bolton player to end the game and secure yet another result on home soil.

Bolton will rue the fact that they had enough opportunities to put the game to bed and secure the extra point, but are more than happy to earn a result against one of the better sides in the league.

Next week Bolton remain at home and welcome Littleborough back to Avenue Street for the first time since their league winning campaign in 2012. Whilst Littleborough have only managed one win so far, the reduced travel requirements will no doubt allow them to pull together a strong team.