BOLTON Mets succumbed to a heavy defeat at Wigan Bulldogs in their final pre-season friendly at the weekend.

Mets went down 66-12 but head coach Marc Simon is confident lessons will be learned from the clash ahead of the first competitive fixture of the new campaign this weekend.

Against the Bulldogs, Mets conceded three early tries to put them on the back foot.

But on 25 minutes, they got on the scoresheet when man of the match Joe Harte crossed the whitewash after a short pass from Stephen Taylor.

Harte converted as well to reduce the arrears to 18-6.

But Wigan responded in style to score two more tries and make it 30-6 at the midway point.

Another soon after the restart piled on the pressure for Mets but they kept plugging away.

They put in several solid defensive sets and debutant Connor Wood ran the ball in hard looking to drive his way forward, with Ken Sackfield and skipper Dale Forrest – who was top tackler on the day for Bolton – always on hand.

Then Paul Leigh scored after a slick handling move, spinning around to cross over the line despite being stopped just short.

Sackfield, who had suffered a bang to the head, expertly converted for the two extra points to make it 36-12.

But that was where the scoring ended for Mets as Wigan ran in a further five tries to put a convincing look to the final scoreline.

Another impressive player making his debut was Eliott Duckworth, who not only helped stop a certain try at one end but also went close to scoring after a barnstorming run saw him bump of several would-be tacklers.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs full-back came across to cover and put in a last-ditch tackle to deny him.

Mets must now dust themselves down and prepare for Saturday's season opener in the North West Men's League Trophy when they visit Division Three rivals Ashton Bears A, kick off 2.30pm.