15th November

Having had only 2 matches so far all season, it was with great relief that we received a call late in the week inviting us to play at Park Lane and despite the rain that had fallen over the past week (or 2) the Sedgley pitch was in a very playable condition.

The first half of the match saw SP putting Bury under pressure assisted by some indifferent tackling. However, the Bury forwards started to exert some pressure of their own and, from a line-out 5 metres out, No 8 Hassall took a clean catch and drove through the middle of the line to score his first try of the match. It was well converted by scrum half, Smith, from far on the right.

Outside centre Kelly soon added another, again converted by Smith.

Then, having narrowly missed out from scoring in the left corner, Sedgley scored under the posts. The conversion was missed, giving a score-line of 5-14 as half time approached.

It is fair to say that Bury deserved their lead and, despite some questionable handling in the backs (suggestive of conditions worse than they actually were) the sometimes one-handed fly-half Holt scored a good individual try, using his support to aid his dummy, and scoring close to the posts.

The second half saw another 3 tries from Bury, this time unanswered. The first of the half was possibly the best of the match. Previous good work and strong running from outside centre Kelly interested the Sedgley back line and created space for inside centre Loftus who went through a gap, linked with fly-half Holt, on the loop and the ever present Hassall was in support, to score his second.

Bury rucked well and Smith was producing quick ball and unfortunately Sedgley became frustrated and resorted to employing the “darker arts” rather than the good strong tackling that they had demonstrated throughout. Flanker Alwin, having made a good come-back following his recovery from a broken thumb had to leave the pitch early with a cut to his ear from an errant boot. Whilst the writer was tending the resultant wound, Hassall crossed for his third try of the day, following a series of good rucks.

Sedgley had a player yellow-carded shortly afterwards, for illegal use of the knee, and from the penalty Bury went short twice and then took the ball wide, for inside centre Loftus to cross unopposed under the posts. Smith converted, for a tally of 5 from 6.

Considering the lack of match-time, this was a very good team performance. The pack rucked more effectively, creating space for Smith to exploit and enabling him to get the ball away quicker. Full back Knowles caught the eye, several times returning aimless Sedgley kicks with some strong, straight running.

JL