Bolton couldn’t have got off to a worse start as a Portico player ran straight through the middle of the Mets defence to score the opening try under the posts to allow an easy conversion for the kicker.

The Mets started to settle and some good driving forward by Dave Edmondson and Chris Lane set the platform for the Half Back pairing of Mark Dorning and Pierce Sherrington to combine which saw Sherrington cross for the Bolton reply. He missed the conversion to leave the score 6-4 to Portico.

Unfortunately, Bolton suffered a big blow when Centre Darryl Leech came off with an arm fracture and had to be taken to hospital. This left the home team with just three players on the interchange bench.

With Bolton making simply mistakes close to the own line, this allowed Vine a chance to barge over from close range. Another mistake from Bolton, this time within their opponents half, led to a scrum from which the away team Scrum Half kicked down field on the first tackle. As the onrushing attackers looked certain to score, some great scramble defence from Bolton managed to stop the try. However, this didn’t last and Vine scored from the next play with a player running through a gap in the defence. Both tries were converted to give the away team an 18-4 lead.

Finally before half time, Portico crossed again with a passing move out wide which resulted in the winger scoring in the corner. Again the kick was successful to hand Portico a 24-4 half time lead.

For the second half, Bolton made some changes with recent recruits Aaron Bibby and Ken Sackfield sent onto the field.

As in the first half, Bolton got off to a shocking start as Ross McMahon was harshly sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. The referee failed to consistently rule the game as Portico had two high tackles penalised but no yellow card was shown.

With Bolton down to 12 men, Vine were able to take advantage with two more tries to increase their lead. The first coming from a break downfield after the second rower bust through a tackle and was able to pass to a supporting player to bypass the Mets Fullback, Sam Abbott. The second was another passing move that allowed another try for the winger in the corner. As one kick was successful and another was missed, this opened up the score to 34-4.

Ross McMahon’s return from the sin bin meant the Mets could finally start to play some attacking Rugby League and as they found themselves camped on their opposition’s line, Neil Walsh dived over with a trademark try.

Dave Edmondson was denied a try after he was adjudged to have made a double movement. This would have put Bolton firmly back into the game but it wasn’t to be.

The Mets never give up and effort given is always 100%. Some slick handling by Mark Dorning put through Ross McMahon on the halfway line and he charged away to score the third Mets try of the game. Pierce Sherrington added the extra two points but the game was always too far out of reach for Bolton.

This was compounded with two late tries by Portico, the second coming right on the final whistle to make the final score 42-14 to the travelling team. Hooker Adam Ryan was awarded the Man of the Match award by the opposition. Bolton’s Top Defender was given to Ryan Terry.

Bolton knew that the game had been there for the taking if they could have achieved some consistency and composure. Players need to get to training on Thursdays and put in some extra fitness training in their own time if they feel it’s needed.

Bolton Mets travel to Hindley A next week with a 2.30pm KO.

Anyone interested in giving Rugby League a TRY, can call down to training on Thursdays from 7pm at our New House Farm pitch. The Mets are also on the lookout for a Head Coach, a match day Physio/First Aider and match day Sideline assistants. If you’re interested, please contact Chairman Glenn Jones on 07795 007116.