Bury battle to hold onto win

With Bury in second place and Old Bedians in a mid-table position the game was set for an exciting encounter.

From the kick-off, the Bury chase was good and possession was taken by Ed Watkins. After making valuable metres, Watkins was brought to ground and with precise rucking from fellow back rows Ben Holland and captain Jonny Allen, the ball was quickly distributed from Dan Palmieri to the back line. The ball was moved through the centre partnership of Rick Roberts and George Kelly out to Alex English, playing on the wing. With some clever interplay amongst Alex English, Callum Paton and Ed Watkins a gap was found and Watkins was able to cross the line for the opening try of the game. The conversion was narrowly missed.

From the restart the visitors were to make inroads towards the Bury try line. The Bury defence held strong with a very direct style from Old Bedians being neutralised by some outstanding tackling work. The visitors were to change approach and with the full back joining the line, Old Bedians were able to find a hole further out and level the score. The conversion was missed.

Bury were to again capitalise on a good kick off and make quick progress towards the opposition try line. With quick recycled ball after great rucking work by second row Mark Blain and hooker Alan Dobson, the ball was moved out right before being switched inside via full back Lawrence Shedwick in a sublime move finished off by winger Callum Paton. The conversion was missed leaving Bury with a 10-5 lead.

After some great work at the break down by Jonny Allen, Bury were to earn a shot at the posts and Adam Heath was able to add the three points to the Bury total.

Bury were to again concede a try after a series of long kicks from the visitors were to pin the home side back in their own half and from a resulting error the visitors were to reduce the Bury lead to a single point.

After receiving the kick off and a blistering run from Chris Potts, the ball was fed through the centre for Dan Palmieri to make thirty yards before being tacked by the Bedians fullback. The quickly popped up ball, passed to support runner Adam Heath, left the fly half with the simple task of putting the ball down over the try line. He converted his own score with ease and increased the home sides lead going into the half time interval.

With the score at 20-12 the visitors were to reduce the deficit again to 20-19 with a slick passing move involving their back three to finish under the posts and kick the conversion successfully.

Bury were to show their 'Die Hard' spirit as they have in many games this season and were to increase their lead through two more successful penalty kicks at goal leaving the final score at 26-19 and giving Bury four more vital points in their push for promotion.

Bury now travel to Pendle for a top of the table clash against the league leaders next Saturday, 28th February, 2:15pm kick off.

Match report by Andy Townsend.