Top of the table Manchester proved too strong

Bolton travelled to Cheadle Hulme to play top of the league Manchester.
They knew this one was going to be a tough game but this week they were better prepared mentally for the game.
With the pitch defrosting in time it was going to be a cold morning which may have been Bolton's downfall at times.
The game kicked off with Bolton taking the upper hand and early pressure in the Manchester half could not be converted into points.
Unforced errors ie knocking the ball on and not securing it sufficiently at the rucks was costing them dearly and Manchester were turning the ball over.8 minutes into the game and Manchester's pacy backs seized the opportunity of an overlap and Bolton's sleeping defence let them run down the left wing almost from their 22m line for their first try.
This was converted and the score was 7 v 0 to the home side.
Unlike other matches Bolton's heads remained high and the battle up front continued with Bolton's pack matching the away side's forwards.
Morgan Skeels-Caldwell was his normal nuisance around the base of the scrum with Tom Crook always in the thick of the rucks and mauls.
Bolton had plenty of possession but the unforced errors continued with too many knock-ons, maybe the hands were cold.
Manchester then flung the ball out onto the left wing once again and with great handling skills managed to evade Sam Dawson's and James Evans tackles to score their second try.This was unconverted making the score 12 v 0. Bolton were falling off the tackles in the centre of the pitch which was allowing Manchester to get over that all important gain line.
Bolton battled on but did not take try scoring opportunities when they arose.Pressure on the 5m line came to nothing after yes you guessed it the ball was knocked on yet again.
Manchester scored another try before half time when strong running Mason collected the ball and ran through at least 5 missed tackles to score under the posts prior to half time. Half time the score was 19 v 0.
Bolton were still in the game they just needed to recognise to take the scoring opportunities when they arose.
In the second half a bitter blow when Manchester scored their fourth try with only 4 minutes gone on the clock.This was converted making the score 26 v 0.Bolton then knuckled down with good foraging runs from Dan Southworth and Matty Moore. Cameron Richardson was always first to the rucks protecting the ball for Milo Holmes the scrum half.
Wholesale changes to the team were made with Harry Dawber coming on for Alfie Kay, Zak Grundy moving to stand off and Elvis Majanja and Cameron Barker-allan coming on for Sam Dawson and Ben Turner.
James McDowell entered the fray at scrum half in place of Milo Holmes.
Bolton seemed to take more control of the game at this stage but could not turn possession into points, before Manchester scored their final try 31 v 0.
Shortly afterwards Morgan skeels-caldwell had to leave the field with a knee injury replaced by Alfie Kay. Morgan had paid the price for his 100% effort in the game.With 5 minutes to go Dan Southworth picked up the ball at the rear of a ruck 10m from the Manchester line and got a deserved consolation try in the corner to make the score 31 v 5 after Zak was unable to convert the ball.
Final score 31 v 5 to the league leaders.
A great performance against a well drilled back line and it was great to see that Bolton heads remained high and 100% effort was put in by everyone. The final score did not reflect the effort by the away team.
Scoring opportunities were there throughout the game but were not taken and too many silly unforced errors.We also need to look at our tackling when faced with strong powerful runners.
Player of the match award Dan Southworth (pictured)
Most Contribution Tom Crook
Best tackler full back James Evans