BOLTON Mets’ home 80-0 drubbing at the hands of Leigh East A signals a new low ebb in a difficult North West Men’s Division Three season, according to club secretary Stuart Cooke.

The Mets struggled to field a full team but valiantly opted to play on against one of the league’s strongest sides despite missing a number of players due to injuries, holidays and work responsibilities, rather than accept the 24-0 forfeit.

And Cooke hopes that the club can learn from their mistakes, after another heavy defeat in the club’s 20th anniversary season, which sees them currently sitting at the bottom of the league with a points difference of -570.

“Losing 80-0 on home soil is always going to be a bad result and we won’t shy away from it,” he said.

“This season has been tougher than we expected and possibly the toughest season so far in our history.

“But on the back of it we hope the players have learnt a few lessons and now know what rugby league is all about.

“You can’t be half hearted in this sport as you will be found out in an instant – there is no hiding place on a rugby league field, its 100 per cent or nothing.”

Bolton will have to pick themselves up swiftly, as they face a derby against fellow strugglers Little Hulton Reds on Saturday.

The Reds are level with Bolton on four points after being beaten 28-16 by Burtonwood Bridge on Saturday, although they do have a significantly better points difference than their local rivals.

Little Hulton won the reverse fixture 28-14 back in March, but Cooke is hoping that home advantage will prove pivotal for his side, as they seek to avoid the ignominy of finishing the season in last place.

“The Reds were victorious at their place but we hope to have the edge this time,” he said.

“This is the closest we'll get to a derby this season with no fixtures against Westhoughton Lions or Bury Broncos, so we'll be going all out to win.

“With both of us tied on four points this result could go a long way in to deciding who finishes bottom at the end of the season.

“With three games remaining we ideally want two more wins under our belt to help us finish the season with some positivity.”

Westhoughton Lions did not have a fixture last weekend, but face a trip to Garswood Stags on Saturday in Division Four.