NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 Cinderford 45 Bury 27

Bury showed some real character to score five tries and earn a deserved bonus point at an icy Cinderford.

The Wolfpack were looking down the barrel of a big defeat when they trailed 21-0 after less than half an hour.

Bury had been out muscled by a commanding Cinderford pack that are sweeping all before them in National 2.

Cinderford monopolised proceedings for much of the first half.

Fly-half Liam Hemming was pulling the strings behind his powerful pack and he first chipped the ball for winger Alex Frame to score on the right. Then his fine solo break set up Bogue for a simple score before sitting back and watching prop Smart touch down as his pack organised an unstoppable catch and drive from a line out 10 metres from the line.

With only 27 minutes on the clock it looked like Bury would be in for a torrid afternoon. However the Wolfpack refused to lie down and accept their fate and a quick break by Chris Lord for once put the Cinders pack under pressure. Bury stole the line out, organised the drive and scrum half Matt Harrison sniped off the side to dive over.

It was 28-5 at half-time.

The second half however saw Bury come out of the traps firing and Liam McBride released his backs and the deadly Dwayne Corcoran notched up his 16th try of the season as Bury scored again. Hemming once again took matters into his own hands as he ghosted through a strangely passive Bury defence, as the home side went 33-10 up.

Any doubts as to who might be the victors was answered shortly after as Cinders notched up try number six. But Bury hit back and Luke Beales blasted over from close range. Corcoran, with just the hint of obstruction, was given the chance to waltz in by the sticks as Bury refused to buckle.

Bury had the last laugh. Cinderford, forced to defend deep in their own half, saw a Bury turn over allowing a swift counter attacking opportunity. The ball reached Lord in space and he raced clear before finding the ever willing Matt Eddison up in support for Bury’s fifth try.