The air was filled with the excitement of a new league season, particularly under the management and leadership of new Player/Gaffer Ross Hayden (pictured). The boys in Red & White had recently been heavily defeated in a pre-season warm up against a tough Tyldesley side who will be vying for promotion come the end of the season. However, spirits were not dampened by that, or the weather on a sunny-ish end of Summer day.

The game was kicked off by Ross Hayden and we were underway, with a stalemate lasting the first quarter of the game. It would seem this fixture would be much closer than the last… Approaching the 25 minute mark, Tyldesley are pinged for arms in the ruck and skipper Jonny Wallis gave the nod to have a shot at goal – straight through the middle to give Bolton the lead.

However, just a few minutes later, Andy Goode’s (no gloves tho) doppleganger sends Ross to the shops and goes under the sticks. 7-3 Tyldesley. The back & forth continued – a line out on the 5m bundled over by Dan Aspinall. 10-3 Bolton. Mid-way through the second half, debutant Henry Davies goes for a spectacular chip & chase on the 22m, only to toe bung the ball into the opposite winger’s breadbasket, who subsequently called a mark. Nice one H.

Soon after, a darty pick & go from Bolton's 15 seems for all money to have been grounded over the Tyldesley whitewash, however to the Bolton boys' astonishment, a knock on is called by the match official... Unfortunately no TMO at NW3 grounds, therefore this one was disallowed. Maybe whiteline fever got the better of us... who knows.

After some big shots in midfield and some ferocious rucking from the Tyldesley pack resulting in some shots at goal, a further exhibition in kicking from both men with the boot the match draws to a close at 21-16 to Tyldesley.

A much tighter affair than in pre-season, which is only good news for the Bolton lads. A lot of positives to take which will give the lads confidence for the return fixture and beyond into the bulk of the season. All in all, certainly base to work from and kick on throughout the league campaign.

Man of the Match - Louis Critchlow sponsored by Clearview Corporate