With two losses still fresh in their minds, Bolton were presented with a chance this Saturday to make amends and ensure that 2nd place and the play-off spot did not also slip out of their reach.

Workington have suffered a tough season and a trip to Avenue Street was never going to be an easy one particularly with Bolton gunning for the 5 points that they desperately needed prior to travelling to Bower Park to take on Aspatria.

The game kicked off in near perfect conditions and with a sizeable Bolton crowd on the side lines cheering on the Cherry & Whites. Singleton hoisted the ball high and the forwards, led by Ash Cooper in the absence of Chris Cockton, went searching for the opening collision with Chris Mee taking the honours. Almost immediately, Bolton found themselves in possession and worked to move the ball around the park and utilise the hardening pitch. Mark Doherty, once again at 9, bossed his forwards and through their hard work, supplied Singleton with front foot ball from which he could orchestrate his backline.

One move from right to left seemed to touch every pair of hands down the line until a flat ball from Alex Waddicar found Will Bate in a gap. Bate made the most of the lax tackle and went over the line for the opening score of the day. Mark Doherty stepped up and slotted from the sideline to start his 100% kicking record… 7-0.

It did not take long for Bolton to extend their lead and it was Ash Cooper, a serious contender for player of the season, who was the beneficiary. In his usual aggressive manner, he barged through a would be tackler to go over underneath the posts. 14-0.

Despite the early scores, Workington did enjoy some periods of possession and their ability at the breakdown was causing Bolton to slow their game down. The Zebra’s continued to frustrate Bolton and a long period of back and forward ensued in the middle of the park. Eventually, Bolton won back possession and settled into their game plan.

The forwards were exerting their dominance in the loose, with the ever present Tony McLaughlin continually making yards for Bolton, ably supported by his second row partner James Brodie. After a period of sustained pressure, the Workington defence was breached once more with Ben Stubbs the claimant at the bottom of the pile of bodies.

With the four try bonus point already in sight, Bolton continued to hound the Workington defenders, who to their credit tackled anything that went near them with their captain leading by example all over the park. However, Bolton were not letting off and with the half close to ending Number 8 Rick Newman showed the side what they had been missing with a great break down the blindside to take his seasons tally to 5. Doherty continued his fine vein of form with his 4th kick at goal and the score was 24-0 going in to the break.

Despite the bonus point being in the bag, the call was to not let up, earn some points for the league table and build some momentum for next Saturday’s big test on the road.

With fresh legs on the field in the form of Spencer Pettitt and Simon Frost, it seemed Bolton had been listening to their coach and came out firing on all cylinders in a half that saw them run in a further 8 tries.

Will bate opened the scoring with a trademark bust and break down the right flank, making the most of tired defenders and crashing over for his 2nd of the afternoon. Doherty was again on target and the score extended to 31-0.

The Bolton backs division were now enjoying the fine weather and fast pitch and with Singleton pulling the strings from 10 they continually found themselves making holes in the Workington defence. Mike Richardson was the next to profit and picked up two scores in quick succession. The second, thanks to a wonderful 30m break down the blind side from Frost who unfortunately had to leave the field soon after with Brodie returning to the fray.

Spencer Pettit was the next name on the list. Twice he hit the angle outside 13 from full back and twice he crossed the whitewash. With Doherty kicking like a man on a mission to destroy last seasons’ points tally the score now stood at 59-0. And yet more scores were still to come.

Workington still hadn’t given up the ghost and earned a well-earned score after some sustained pressure on the Bolton defence. Their kicker stepped up to add the extras and made up for his 1st half penalty miss.

This only lead to incentivise Bolton more and with Cockton joining the fray from the bench, the forwards got back in on the action. Strong play from the pack earned Bolton good field position and gave Richardson the opportunity to round off his 2nd hat-trick for the club. There must be something about the 2nd to last game of the season for the sizeable winger.

Not to be outdone, Pettitt also made it 3 with yet another strong running line. A tired defence allowed him to run in under the posts from wide and Doherty did the business with the conversion. At 77-7 the Workington players were no doubt wishing for the clock to end, but not before Bolton eeked out one more score. James Brodie coasted in from 30m out brushing off would be tacklers to round off an impressive performance for the Cherry & Whites. Doherty rounded off his day by slotting his final kick to take his personal points tally to 24 and the score to 84-7.

Bolton must take this momentum into this weekend when they face a tough trip away at Aspatria.

Some additional photo's can be seen http://www.johnmcgibbon.com/boltonworkington/h1ebcdf07#h1ebcdf07here