In a top of the table clash, Bury faced an unbeaten team from Pendle

Bury knew this game would be tough even without their squad being hit with injuries.

Bury kicked off on a heavy, boggy pitch and instantly came under pressure from the big running Pendle side. The league leaders were showing their confidence and flexing their muscles early on as Bury tried to weather the storm.

Despite clearly being the smaller pack, the Bury forwards were dominant in the scrum even after some personnel changes they worked hard to remain on top. They struggled to transfer this to open play and this would typify the game for Bury.

Having looked threatening in some of the early exchanges Bury could not turn this into points and the home side picked up their game. They began to really assert their dominance in the loose and played a well organised, running game characterised by offloading well between forwards and backs. Bury struggled to live with this and looked fractured in defence. Pendle continued to pressure the Bury line and a quick switch of play from the back of a ruck saw a mismatch in defence and the Pendle centre crashed over for the opening try.

Pendle’s authority increased throughout the first half and they were able to dictate the play through a complete monopoly of possession. They ran in two further tries in the first half, and although Adam Heath pegged them back with two penalties the home side went in to the half time break 17-6 up.

Bury began the second half better than they ended the first, but were unable to add to their tally. They worked hard but were never able to break down a well organised Pendle defence. They defended doggedly throughout most of the second half but played too much of the game without the ball. On the break bury had some chances, Ed Watkins picking up from the back of a ruck charged down the blind side on a couple of occasions to worry the Pendle defence. Callum Paton looked assured under the high ball and took the game to Pendle on the counter but was unable to find support to mount a solid challenge. The away side grew in confidence and although a good switch of play by Heath nearly put Alex English through for a try Bury never looked like overturning the first half deficit.

Pendle ran in two further tries late on to leave Bury out of the game and out of the hunt for the title. The home side were controlled the game and ran out worthy winners 29-6.

Bury’s only remaining hope of silverware is the cup where they will play a home fixture next Saturday the 7th March at Radcliffe road against fellow promotion rivals Eagle, kick off at 2:15pm.