Great Effort - No Reward

Barnes forced an error just after their kick-off to get a scrum 26 metres from their opponents' line. After releasing from that they were awarded a penalty at the same distance in centre field. Unaccountably their fly-half's kick was wide. Bury's drop-out was kicked to touch and they forced an error soon after the line-out and got the ball and went wide to start a 40 metre break. They recycled 5 times then they got the second penalty 25 metres out near centre field. This kick also missed. Bury ran back the long drop-out and advanced strongly with 10 mixed phases to get another penalty 30 metres out near touch. They kicked for a line-out 9 metres out and their pack kept the ball in from it. The drive was halted then at the second attempt they got over with hooker Torpey on the ball halfway between the posts and touch after 9 minutes. Fullback Ritchie converted.

Bury broke through again and quickly from the high restart to get close to the visitors' line. This with 3 breaks in 7 phases to get the 4th penalty, 5 metres out, and a forward advantage for 10 minutes for what the Ref.'s assistant called a cynical foul. Bury chose to have a scrum but were penalised just after it for offside. The visitors kicked to touch then used another kick to touch to clear to their 10 metre line. After errors from both teams Bury ran the ball to get a penalty 11 metres from halfway for a high tackle. The touch kick took them to just into the other half and from the line-out they soon sent the ball wide and advanced to another penalty 20 metres out. They chose a scrum and kept the ball close for a few phases before losing possession. After more errors Bury were penalised in a scrum and the visitors kicked for another line-out 18 metres past halfway. From this one they kept the ball for 5 mixed phases before there were some interactions without involving the ball. This resulted in a penalty for the visitors no further ahead than the preceding line-out. This was kicked for a line-out 11 metres out that was stolen. Bury soon cleared to touch 26 metres out; next Barnes put together their best series of phases. There were 19, mostly close, before scrumhalf Davies got over wide out at 33 minutes. A low flat conversion from the fullback levelled the scores.

The visitors soon used an up-and-under after the restart and Bury ran the ball varying their recycling for 10 phases to get a penalty for offside 6 metres inside their half. The kick gained them 20 metres and from the line-out they advanced with 5 phases before the fullback passed to wing Sharp who Houdini-like escaped from being tackled and ran to the posts after 37 minutes. The fullback added. Bury ran back the long restart and kept the ball for 8 phases before kicking out, knowing that the Ref. would blow for halftime, with the score 14 - 7.

2ND HALF

Bury restarted high and not far and tapped back the ball in the air; they got a penalty for offside after 3 recycles. This was 40 seconds from the restart and 14 metres into the visitors' half in centre field; Ritchie kicked the 3 points with the wind abated.

Bury cleared the long restart to touch 4 metres from halfway. From the line-out Barnes put together their second very good set of phases; this time it was 17 phases, nearly all close, resulting in their penalty 5 metres out. They kicked for a 5 metre line-out; the ball was nudged forward by their line-out jumper into opposition hands. Bury were soon able to move up to the other half.

A high kick from Barnes was dropped by Bury then a penalty against the home team took the visitors to their line-out 6 metres out. This line-out resulted in a free-kick for the defence and they cleared to touch 16 metres from halfway. From the next line-out the visitors advanced well with 7 phases before being forced into touch 5 metres out. From the line-out Bury kicked but not to touch; Barnes ran wide with 13 mixed phases, trying wider, to get a penalty 5 metres out and opted to have another line-out. After it they knocked on giving the defence a put-in 7 metres out, from which they made ground.

After some mid-park play, Bury dealt attacked strongly with 2 breaks in 7 phases getting close to the line before the defence forced an error to get a scrum put-in 5 metres out. From that they cleared to touch outside their 22 then after the line-out Bury advanced before being were penalised 15 metres out. The visitors cleared.

From a stolen line-out just outside their 22 the visitors' centre Cornish broke away and after a couple of passes and three recycles Barnes believed they had scored in the corner. The Ref. consulted his assistant and the defence got a line-out 5 metres out. Bury cleared to touch at their 22; from the line-out Barnes advanced with a close break by their hooker then their replacement scrum half Matthews went to the corner at 36 minutes. The fullback's conversion just missed, leaving the visitors 5 points adrift.

An error soon after the restart gave possession back to Bury; they kicked ahead and this got them a 5 metre scrum. After 2 recycles the defence was penalised; Bury chose another scrum. From it replacement no.8 Uru dummied and went over half way between the posts and touch. The conversion was wide before the final whistle.

Cold, damp, with trivial drizzle; the pitch firm and rough.