A BUSY weekend for Bolton’s hockey teams saw the men’s first XI win 4-0 at Southport, the seconds maintain their 100 per cent home record and the ladies stun leaders Wakefield 4-2 – but a late winner meant the thirds lost 2-1 to local rivals Horwich.

Hosting South Manchester first team, Bolton seconds were made to battle for the three points before eventually running out victorious 5-2 in an action-packed encounter.

The victory, put in motion by Phil Johnston’s finish from an early penalty corner, keeps Bolton hot on the heels of Division Five leaders Didsbury.

Robert Lord’s marauding late run and finish doubled the lead before South Manchester converted a penalty-flick after a smart counter-attack.

The two goal deficit was restored just before the break when Keith Stanley rebounded to make it 3-1, but the visitors again responded minutes into the second half.

Then despite being reduced to 10 men, Bolton’s Richard Coles scored with a sensational top-corner finish and Phil Johnston converted another short corner to secure the points.

Bolton firsts’ convincing win at Southport came thanks to a Joel Reiss double from penalty flicks, plus goals from Damien Pearse and James Robinson.

However, the thirds were less fortunate and went behind to Horwich at the end of the first half, having missed a series of chances of their own.

After the interval the hosts applied the pressure and finally got their breakthrough to equalise late on, Andy Hills’ effort pushed over the line by a Horwich defender.

But Horwich stole the bragging rights with a dramatic winner just two minutes later.

The Bolton ladies also fell behind to Wakefield as they looked to produce only the second win of their Division One campaign.

A goal behind to leaders Wakefield it looked unlikely, but Jess Harwood responded, converting a short corner.

From there the ladies’ confidence grew, Jenny Neville adding a second to take the lead straight from pushback.

Wakefield hit back, making it 2-2 at half time, but Helen Bowden restored the lead with some fantastic dribbling skills up the wing

Then when June Fenton added a fourth off a pacey run, the memorable victory was secured.