Bolton named a heavily changed side due to several key players missing including Captain Chris Cockton and Vice Captain Will Bate side lined due injury. Nick Holmes offered debuts to Oliver Relph and James Kuligowski along with a first 1st XV start for James Franks at hooker. John Stryker returned to the side at second row with Louis Critchlow moving to blindside and Simon Frost in at loose head prop in replacement for the injured Ben Stubbs.

Due to the changes, many may think that Bolton travelled simply looking to limit the damage inflicted upon them by 3rd placed Widnes, but under the leadership of Ash Cooper they were asked to give their all and that they did. Well, in the 2nd half anyway.

The game kicked off in great conditions with a wind blowing across the pitch and a sizeable home crowd cheering on their players. The kick off was collected well and Bolton set about working their way up field, however the disjointed nature of the team shone through and Widnes managed to benefit from it with a number of turnovers. Widnes looked to use their strong backline and in particular their inside centre who enjoyed a strong 1st half.

Mistakes were to play a big part in the opening exchanges and Widnes were the first to make the most of it. An error at the lineout from Bolton provided the home side full back with an opportunity to bundle over in the corner, the conversion as missed and the score stood at 5-0.

Shortly after Widnes scored again, this time a soft penalty was quickly tapped and the Widnes player brushed off an attempted tackle from Bolton scrum half Andrew Crimmins to rush in from 30 metres out. Again, the conversion wasn’t successful and the score stood at 10-0 and Bolton looked a little stunned.

Widnes continued to play at pace and made the most of a flatfooted Bolton defensive line to earn a 3rd try on the half hour mark. With the 5 pointer scored under the sticks the home side kicker was able to add the extras and at 17-0 Widnes had to have had their eyes on the bonus point already.

Bolton had at times troubled the Widnes line but strong turnovers from the Widnes back row and little errors from the Bolton players were costing them possession. With their intensity stepped up a little Bolton held out for the remainder of the half and came into half time with the momentum slightly in their favour, but with a big task ahead of them.

One man who took note of the half time chat was Chris Mee who opened the half with an excellent kick chase that saw the Widnes hooker flattened into the turf. This hit appeared to lift the visitors and they began to find their rhythm with the forwards linking well and earning ground on countless occasions.

Eventually, Bolton found themselves within striking distance of the line and Simon Frost bundled his way over from short range to open the scoring for the Cherry & Whites. Mike Mills was unfortunate to slip as he took the conversion and the ball fell short. 17-5 and Bolton looked like they had the ascendancy having enjoyed all the possession so far.

Bolton didn’t let up and snuffed out what was now becoming rare attacks from Widnes, led by an immaculate defensive effort from man of the match Rhys Pritchard at outside centre. The forwards were winning the ball with regularity and providing a platform from which Mills could launch his backline. Nick Smith had yet another strong performance at 12 making yards at nearly every asking and with Pritchard on hand in support Bolton were looking dangerous. However, the forwards were the ones to take the plaudits, when yet another close range drive led to the next score, this time from John Stryker who was having his best game in a 1st XV shirt in a while. Mills was accurate with the kick and at 17-12 Bolton were in losing bonus point territory with the chance at snatching the win.

The forwards continued to dominate and several successive penalties at the scrum just 7m out had the visiting support crying for a yellow card. The official didn’t budge but must have felt he had done Bolton harshly as at the next opportunity he dispatched a Widnes player to the bin.

Widnes held strong, but Bolton should have capitalised when a quick tap, which should have gone through two sets of hands to score in the corner was lobbed to Spencer Pettitt who was bundled into touch. One of very few bad decisions from Andy Crimmins who was also looking in fine form.

Widnes now countered and thanks to the boot of their 10 found themselves on the Bolton 5m line challenging for the ball at a lineout. The line was disrupted and Widnes turned over the possession as the Bolton supporters covered their eyes. After several rucks the Widnes 8 spotted an overlap on the blindside and threw the pass that would have earned them the 4 try bonus point… Step up right winger Mike Richardson. He threw out one of his shovel sized farmer hands to collect the ball mid-flight and set off on the charge down the wing with the Widnes line on the back foot. With 80m to go the cheers from the supporters could be heard for miles. Into the 22 and the pacey Widnes fullback was closing down on Richardson, he dived and clipped the back of Richardson’s’ boot bringing him to the floor, his team mates were soon on hand to contest the ball and Mike was up on his feet trying to drive them off it. The referee blew his whistle claiming the Bolton player had held on and the kick into touch signalled the end of the game.

A disappointing end to a game that Bolton could and possibly should have won. However the side will take great pride that despite missing many players they stepped up to the mark against a team that now sits 2nd. To come away from Widnes with a losing bonus point was a great achievement given the half time score and Bolton must build on that ahead of Saturdays fixture at home to Warrington. Their first home fixture since having their run ended by Broughton Park.