It was a tough afternoon in St Helens for a much changed and youthful Bolton team at the weekend. They came up against a well drilled and skillful West Park team whose league position doesn’t reflect their combined talents.

“Park” are a proud and long established club. Established in 1947, the club has been supported by the local community for 75 years. In 1955, the mighty Pilkington Brothers Ltd leased them land for a pitch and the “Corporation” of St Helens granted planning permission for a clubhouse. Ever since, and much like Bolton, they have provided a platform for young people to enjoy the game of Rugby and forge lifelong friendships.

Saturdays game was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd, to a man and woman, frozen down to the marrow. At times both sets of players showed some dazzling ball handling skills in spite of the wintry conditions.

Park took an early lead after just 5 minutes which was cancelled out by Bolton’s Ross Hayden, who ran the length of the pitch following an interception.

Ten minutes played and the game was tied at 7-7. Bolton then dominated the next 15 minutes and their travelling support began to believe that the “young guns” might be about to pull off a fairly major upset.

The game turned against Bolton in the 28th minute. Chris Lane smashed over the home teams try line but frantic defence by Park prevented him from grounding out the much deserved try. Against the run of play and following a Bolton handling error from the resultant drop out they found themselves trailing to Park’s second try of the match.

Three minutes later and the game was up! A harsh yellow card for an infringement in the ruck by Bolton’s Ash Cooper reduced Bolton to 14 and a rampant home team took full advantage. They went into the break trailing 19-7 with their confidence at low ebb.

Three more home team tries in the second half and Bolton’s race was run.

Bolton team: Tailor, Biggins, Lane, Chappelhow, Robinson (M), Doogan, Swift, Cooper, Holmes (M), Hayden, Clarke, O’Donnell, Holmes (J), Evans, Steel. Subs: O’Byrne, Southworth, Stephens.

The final league game of the season at Avenue Street will be against close rivals Warrington on Saturday the 11th of March at the normal kick off time of 3.00pm. It is certain to be a ding, dong do with the two teams currently neck and neck in the table. Food and beverages are available before the game and all are welcome. The England versus France international will be on in the Clubhouse after the game Full details are available on the Bolton RUFC website.