Bury V Littleborough

After a disappointing result in the previous week, Bury travelled to Littleborough; a high-flying team who were two leagues above last year. The conditions did not suit either side , as the pitch was very heavy and with rain pouring down this was not to improve.
Littleborough were to start with a great intensity, playing down the slope, and took an early lead with their winger evading a number of defenders to finish in the corner. The conversion was missed.
From the restart, Bury pushed forward with some intricate play from forwards; Israr Asif and Oliver Frechini inter-linking with backs Alex English and Will Smith. This play was to no avail as the home side were able to turn over the ball and work it quickly through the broken defence to double their lead.
The remainder of the half was to be played out with neither team able to get a clear foothold with the ground underfoot getting worse. Littleborough were to finish the half again capitalising on a Bury error and scoring their third try of the afternoon, this time converted, and taking a score of 17-0 into the half-time break.
In the interval The Rams were to lose second row, Wayne Elloway, with a neck injury and winger Leo Frechini with a hand injury. This saw the introduction of big-hitter James Swinburn.
With the wind in their faces but playing down the slope, Bury would have fancied their chances of getting on the score sheet and back into the game. This however was not to come into fruition.
Littleborough were to play the conditions well and took advantage of the continuous overlaps presented to them. Bury heads were not to drop on such a difficult afternoon and great performances from Chris Potts and Tom Smith will be little consolation to the visitors.
The final score of 66-0, an improvement of the reverse fixture earlier in the season, still shows the improvements now required if Bury are to push for promotion in the coming years.
Bury are scheduled to face Wallasey in the cup next weekend. Venue still to be confirmed.

Andy Townsend

Sent from my iPhone