TEENAGER Sam Houghton made his senior debut for Winnington Park when they lost at Bolton.

The 17-year-old replaced Chris Twigg, who required treatment for an injury, during the first-half and did not look out of place.

“He’s a talented player and will develop from here,” said head coach Matt Farr afterwards.

“He had a good game; he made great runs and his tackling was strong.”

The visitors, depleted by absences through injury and suspension, held their own initially before full-back Jack Williams was sent to the sin-bin as punishment for deliberately knocking the ball from an opponent’s hands.

Mike Mills kicked kicked a penalty to put Bolton in front and they added to their advantage when Jonny Stanfield went over.

Mills added the conversion to make it 10-0, although the home team ended the half a man down after prop Niall Murphy was shown a yellow card for dissent.

The Northwich side couldn’t take advantage, and instead fell further behind when Will Bate stepped inside before dotting down between the posts.

Mills added the extras.

A stunning solo score from Stanfield, who evaded an attempt by four players to stop him, increased Bolton’s lead.

Park responded when Jack Williams danced through the defence to score after the ball had been recycled from a lineout.

Cameron Flanagan improved the try.

However Bate doubled his personal tally for the afternoon before Ryan McClusky added his name to a list of try-scorers following Gaz Pritchard’s fine pass.

Stanfield, Bolton’s outstanding performer, completed a hat-trick before the final whistle and Mills remained reliable to land a sixth conversion.

Farr added “We played well in patches, but we have to be at those levels for 80 minutes in this division.

“The lads will learn from a defeat and hopefully be back on song next weekend.”

Park | Eaves, Knight, Bagole, Dave Cross, Hallworth, Dykes, Treacy, Paul Houghton, Matt Cross, Flanagan, Twigg, Brookes, Johnson, Sheppard, Jack Williams Replacements Moran, Fowler, Sam Houghton Try Jack Williams Con Flanagan