JAMIE'S PATIENT APPROACH PAYS DIVIDENDS

And it was centre – and player of the match – Jamie Patient who led the way with a hat-trick of tries. Kevin Leadbetter was also in fine form at stand-off, scoring two tries and seven conversions.

The win keeps Widnes top of the pile, unbeaten and six points ahead of Broughton Park, Aspull and Tarleton, who are all tied in joint second place.

The dreadful weather of late finally gave way to some bright, warm sunshine in time for kick off. The pitch too had held up beautifully in the conditions to provide an ideal playing surface.

Widnes got the game under way, and were soon back in possession of the football inside their opponents 22.

The ‘red-and-blacks’ opened their account after just six minutes, as Kevin Leadbetter and Mike Garrity combined to get the former diving over the line for a try at the railway end, which he then converted.

Things would get even better just four minutes later, when a mix-up in the visitor’s defence, allowed Mike Jones to stroll through a big gap for a try between the uprights.

With Leadbetter again on target, the home side had suddenly opened up a fourteen-point lead.

Five minutes later, Ben Price missed with a penalty for Bolton, before Jack Krause was hauled down as he attempted to break free from the cover.

The visitors then had a bright spell on attack, which ended with Price finally getting his team on to the score sheet.

Although the game continued to be something of a stop-start affair, it failed to prevent another Widnes attack which saw Jack Krause join the line to create the extra man and score their third try of the half.

A great tackle from Will Patient, was later followed by a second Bolton penalty on 31 minutes.

The visitors then coughed up another error which allowed Jamie Patient to set off on a weaving 45 metre dash to the line to score a try and record an additional bonus point.

Kevin Leadbetter was also on hand to add the extras to make it 26 – 6 in favour of the home side.

The final word of the half was left to Bolton, who capitalised on a series of penalties to get hooker Rory Biggins burrowing his way over the line for a try converted by Price to make the score 26 – 13 at the break.

Widnes elected to bring on Justin Winstanley and Allan Breeden for the second half and the pair were soon into the thick of the action.

After Jamie Patient had made a strong down centre field, the ball was handed on to Breeden, who almost broke free before releasing a clever back door pass to the supporting Will Patient who raced clear to score a try between the posts with Leadbetter again adding the extra two.

Ben McQuillan was then introduced onto the field, and just minutes later a speculative kick ahead from Krause wasn’t dealt with efficiently by the Bolton defence, and although the awkward bounce evaded Ciaran O’Donnell, fullback Salter was in support to collect and touch down.

Another successful conversion from Kevin Leadbetter made it 40pts – 13, and this was followed almost immediately by another powerful surge from Breeden who was able to hand on to Jamie Patient enabling the centre to race clear and score his second try of the afternoon, which was also converted.

Despite the result being beyond them, Bolton were able to lift themselves once again, and were rewarded with a well worked converted try to make the score 47pts – 20.

Three minutes later, though, normal service was resumed, as more crisp handling saw player of the match Jamie Patient go on to complete a hat-trick of tries.

With the clock entering its final few moments, the home side were able to save their best till last, finishing with a super team try which was finished off between the uprights by Kevin Leadbetter.

The same player then added the conversion to round off the scoring, before the referee finally brought an end to proceedings.

Head coach Andy McIntosh said afterwards “We were really pleased with the lads focus and attitude today. This was a real squad effort on the back of five changes from last week.

It was another solid performance, and we scored some very good tries to put us in a great position after the first four games. There is lots to build on as we look forward to an away trip to Didsbury which is always a great challenge and keenly contested game”.