Clock Face Miners 11 Bolton Mets 18

CLOCK Face went down to their first home defeat of the season in a game that they should have won.

The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty by scum-half Mark Dorning after five minutes. And the same player increased their advantage with a try which he converted himself.

Clock hit back and were almost rewarded when Phil Brown went in at the corner only to have the 'score' ruled out. Despite further pressure, Clock's only points of the half came just before the break when Steve Rybczynski slotted over a penalty goal.

Rybczynski got Clock off the mark in the second period with a drop goal, then they got the try that their efforts deserved when Damian Grimes kicked the ball through the Mets defence and Graham Leadbetter won the race to the line to touch down and bring Clock back to within one point of the visitors.

But Dorning once again found a gap in the Clock defence to race through and score, then goal his try to restore the visitors' margin.

Clock continued to press and went close on several occasions with Glynn Walsh, Mal Grant and Steve Hayes all held near to the line.

Bolton then put the game out of Clock's reach with a try by forward Colin Crompton wide out.

Dean Barber replied with a great individual try for the home side but it was too late to save the game.

The M A Leigh Plant Hire man of the match was Graham Leadbetter, with Dean Barber, Mal Grant and Damian Grimes also playing well.