The pitch was in good fettle and the sun was shining as Bury kicked off deep into the Parkonian’s half and immediately the forwards exerted pressure. From a dominant scrum some 8 metres out, scrum half Loftus scampered over in the right corner. Unconverted, but a bright start 5-0 after only 4 minutes.
Try number 2 came shortly afterwards, this time a solo effort from full back Norris who must have run around, past or through about half of the visitors to cross the line in the left corner but was able to dot down behind the posts giving fly-half Smith the easiest of conversions. 12-0 after 10 minutes.
After a brief foray into the Bury half, the visitors conceded a third when, from a line out, flanker Marsh peeled off and made a storming run into midfield. A smart inside pass found his scrum half on a good support line, who crossed under the posts. Smith converted, 19-0.
It wasn’t going to be all one-way traffic, though, and just a couple of minutes later Parkonians broke down their left and got a converted try of their own, to make it 19-7.
Their fly half and centres looked dangerous at times and Bury would need to be careful not to give them too much space or opportunity.
However, from the restart, Bury responded well and another dominant scrum provided just the platform for a simple scissors move in midfield, for Walsh to power over. A straightforward conversion made it 26-7 with 25 minutes gone.
Again, though, with 5 minutes to half time, Parkonians kept themselves in the game and capitalised well on some loose play – a Bury player tried to carry too far after contact and found himself isolated - and weak defence to bring the score to 26-14.
With half time approaching Bury again coughed up possession after a promising run, this time from lock Klewe, and from an ensuing penalty, Parkonians looked to kick to the corner, but shanked the kick which the Bury full back kicked into touch to bring the half time whistle.
It felt like Bury had enjoyed much the better of territory and possession, but the visitors were still in the game and looked dangerous in the midfield.
Bury started the 2nd half very much how they had started the 1st half with a try after 5 minutes when replacement Hinchliffe’s good supporting line allowed him to benefit from Loftus’ break down the left, to score under the posts. 33-14.
Shortly after that, skipper Palmieri made a similar break down the left wing. With plenty of support on hand, winger Lyth was the grateful recipient to score wide out left. Conversion missed, 38-14.
From the re-start, Parkonians caught Bury off-guard with a quick kick. Bury fumbled and the visitors took possession and spread the ball right to score an unconverted try. 38-19.
Once again, Bury responded well and good handling resulted in Walsh scoring his second, just to the left of the posts. The conversion made it 45-19.
With 15 minutes remaining, Walsh then went over for his 3rd try but, just before that, special mention to replacement Lawton, making his first team debut, and Massey who put in a tremendous double tackle on the big opposition winger. Lawton took over kicking duties with a super conversion from wide left. 52-19
More good handling and support resulted in Norris scoring his 2nd try, again well converted by Lawton. 59-19.
With 5 minutes to go, Parkonians should really have secured themselves a try bonus point but unfortunately knocked-on with the try line at their mercy.
In summary, this was a good 5-point win to start the season, with some promising elements, particularly in introducing 2 Colts to 1st team rugby, in Lawton and Campbell. The eagerness to offload and support was nice to see but they were perhaps a little too eager at times.
MOTM – Garfieh Cheung