...however they had secured the 4 try bonus point by half time and registered a further 6 tries in the second half to send them flying into the play off and make up for their opening day loss away at Hawcoat Park.

With a large crowd on the side line, Bolton chased the opening kick of the game sent high by fly-half Mike Mills and immediately put pressure on the Hawcoat catcher. Bolton knew they had to try and nullify the strong Hawcoat pack that had caused them issues back in September and the defensive efforts from the likes of Chris Mee and Nick Sandbrook in the opening exchanges showed their intent at the breakdown.

Hawcoat enjoyed the early possession but could not convert it into metres gained as Bolton continually drove them back. Sandbrook did some outstanding work at the breakdown and Bolton soon had hold of the ball. After a small number of carries from the forwards, James Singleton found Mills at 10 who brought his backline into the game. A trademark bust from one of this seasons outstanding players Will Bate took Bolton to within 5m. The visiting full back eventually managed to bring Bate down, but centre partner Dave Bruen was on hand to collect the offload and fall over the line for the days’ opening score. Mike Mills had an easy job converting from under the post to make the score 7-0.

It didn’t take Bolton long to work their way over again. This time Bate made it all the way after yet more outstanding work in the forwards earning good ball for Mills to work with. Mills was again successful and remained so all day. Bolton now looked comfortable at 14-0 up with a little over 10 minutes on the clock.

James Brodie and Tony McLaughlin were now coming into their own and making their presences felt against the Hawcoat defence. Ably supported by the back row of Sandbrook, Ash Cooper and Rick Newman. Singleton was marshalling his forwards well from 9 and Mills was pulling the strings from 10.

A rushed clearance kick from the Hawcoat backs landed with Spencer Pettitt at full back who immediately returned the kick with a well-placed up and under. From the left wing, Liam Ray chased well and put good pressure on the catcher who dropped the ball allowing Ray to hack the ball through collect and run the final 20m to the line to dot down under the posts for his first try in club colours. A 3rd conversion from the boot of Mills took the score to 21-0.

Hawcoat now enjoyed a sustained period of possession and utilised their hard running backs and sizeable forwards to good effect to put pressure on the Cherry & Whites. Bolton continued to defend as well as they have done all season and showed the visitors why they hold the best defensive record in the league. The Bolton scrum was now also starting to get on top and Bolton were regularly making ground on both their own ball and Hawcoat’s ball.

Despite Hawcoats efforts Bolton maintained a clean sheet and after a quiet word in the forwards from captain Chris Cockton, they began to make their way back down field in search of the 4th try and the bonus point that comes with it. James Brodie had obviously been listening and following an initial break from Newman was on hand to collect an offload and make further ground down field brushing off the would be tacklers. Brodie, now one on one with the full back, was probably eyeing up another tackle bust but knowing that the 5th point was at stake passed the ball to the supporting Liam Ray who raced in for his second of the day.

Half-time score 28-0.

Bolton were now well and truly in the ascendancy and Nick Holmes almost looked pleased with his team’s performance, but called for more of the same and brought Rhys Pritchard onto the field in place of Pettitt at full back.

Pritchard did not take long to get involved in the action, joining the line from deep and running the ball in his usual elusive manner. Eventually he was caught by the Hawcoat winger, although the forwards were on hand to recycle the ball into a driving maul very quickly. Cockton found himself at the back with his hands securely on the ball. Despite Singleton’s efforts to swipe the ball, Cockton collapsed over the line to register the 5th try of the day and his 8th for the season. Mills lined up his trickiest conversion of the day so far and took the score to 35-0.

Bolton now started to make the most of a tired Hawcoat defence and Ash Cooper was the next man on the score sheet after some slick offloading from Newman and Gaz Pritchard (now on the field for Nick Sandbrook). Mills kept the points ticking once more. 42-0.

After creating several chances, Rick Newman then got himself onto the board twice in quick succession. The first following a push over scrum from his fellow forwards that he gratefully dropped on at the base. His second almost immediately afterwards following Pritchard’s break from the restart, Newman was on hand to collect an offload and make his way over from 30m out. Mills remained on target and at 56-0 the Hawcoat heads were dropping but in all credit to our visitors they did not give up.

The 9th score came following a bit of luck for the Avenue Street men. Hawcoat were pressuring the home team’s defence who continued to stand strong. Ben Stubbs had joined the fray for Sam Hilton and personified Bolton’s defensive tactics with his hard low hitting. The ball was spilled by Hawcoats back line and who else, but Will Bate was on hand to sweep up the dropped ball and run in from 60m out much to the jubilation of the home crowd.

Rick Newman, completed his hat-trick in the last few minutes of the game thanks once again to the power of his fellow forwards. Newman broke from the base of the scrum to wrap up the score at 70-0.

Hawcoat had one final attack and eventually came close to the Bolton line, however a knock on at the death brought an end to the match and Bolton celebrated a well-deserved second place following the news that Eccles had secured the league title with a win over Keswick.

This season has been a fantastic achievement from the men from Avenue Street who came in to North Lancs/Cumbria with aspirations to survive the league. They have finished the league season having recorded more wins than any other side and bettered every team other than Blackburn by over 100 points in the concede column. A testament to the hard work that has been put in on and off the pitch.

Bolton now look forward to a home game against Northwich on 26th April to fight for a spot in North 1 West and cap off an incredible season. Your support will be greatly needed for this game, so get your passes and get down to Avenue Street to cheer on your club to a 2nd promotion in as many seasons!