BURY v ROCHDALE

It must be said that the home forwards made a slow start and on several occasions failed to capitalise on some early potential possession. However, after 5 minutes, the Bury centres took the initiative and, a couple of phases after having pounced on a loose ball to secure possession, inside centre Loftus took a nicely timed pass from fly-half Holt, gave an equally well-timed pass to outside centre Kelly, who used his pace to outstrip the Rochdale defence, touching down unopposed between the posts for an easy conversion for scrum-half Smith.

At this, the pack seemed to wake up and started giving a bit more steel in both attack and defence. Smith was getting the ball away quickly to the three-quarters and after a 15-minute "stalemate" in the middle of the park, the Bury three quarters, with full-back Bryant continually looking to join the line and assert himself, applied pressure out wide, forcing a lineout close to the Rochdale line. No. 8 Hassall took the ball cleanly and drove over strongly for a try. Smith was unable to convert a difficult attempt from wide out.

At the break, Bury made some changes, with Povey and Holt making way for club newcomers Rose on the flank and Eady at 10, respectively, and Sensale came on for Hall on the wing.

After 2 minutes, as a result of some much improved rucking from the Bury pack, Hassall took "Route 1" from the breakdown, broke through the defence, ran clear and scored under posts. Smith converted.

A couple more changes in personnel saw another Bury newcomer enter the fray, in Molloy on the wing, for Crowder, himself having played his first game for the club (and acquitted himself well), and Lee-Horton at loose-head.

It was now time for Bury to absorb the pressure, as Rochdale started playing with more cohesion, aided and abetted, without doubt, by several unforced and unnecessary Bury infringements for off-side and, more than once, Sensale's over-exuberance in the tackle! However, despite this, the Bury defence held firm and Kelly scored a great individual try, stealing the ball in the tackle and sprinting in from his own 22. Smith converted, making it 26-0, which was to be the final score.

Rochdale might feel aggrieved that they were unable to convert their superior possession and pressure in the second half into points, but credit must be given to Bury's defence, across the whole team. Had Rochdale looked to move the ball wider, then they may well have been more successful.

As always, there are areas where Bury can, and must, improve. But, as an opening game, and with 4 regular players absent through injury, there were promising signs. There were many good performances but, in addition to those already mentioned, tight-head Turner turned in a solid performance and Freschini and Rose put down markers in the back row.

Finally, big thanks to the rest of the U13s squad who turned up to support, especially Oscar Murphy, for his enthusiastic help.

Lofty.