Brilliant rugby at the Haberden as Bury fight back to grab a deserved draw

Sean Stapleton, Sam Sterling and Harry Anderson- Brown celebrating Bury's wonderful comeback (Image: Archant)

Against all the odds 14-men Bury fought back from 21-0 down to tie with Cinderford on Saturday at the Haberden.

However, had James Moffatt’s touchline conversion been successful it would have been cruel luck on a Bury side that produced arguably their most inspired 40 minutes of rugby this season!

Whilst Cinderford breathed a sigh of relief for salvaging a draw from a seemingly commanding position, Bury will have mixed emotions about the result. From such a half-time deficit and a red card being shown to Dan Collins early in the second period, they fought back to lead with only seconds to go.

Cinderford exploited weak Bury defending to race to a 14 point lead inside nine minutes. Former Bury player Sam Goatley extended the lead before the break after fly half Pointon spotted another gap in the watery Bury defence to open the home side up and a 21-0 lead.

Glyn Hughes scores for Bury (Image: Archant)

The second half was an incredible role reversal. Bury raced out the blocks. Hughes’ penalty from a Cinderford offside, was added to moments later by a Sterling try and suddenly Bury had belief! The Irishman, coming off the bench at half-time had a big impact and after Hughes had gathered up a wayward pass, Sterling was on hand to scamper through a hole in the defence. Lord raced on to his own clever kick through, gathered and slipped the ball to Shaq Meyers to equalise!

Despite being a man down it was Bury that then took the lead with five minutes to go. Cinderford still had plenty of possession but struggled to make any impact and when Bury got the chance to counter, counter they did. Quick recycling of the ball put Eddison in space the athletic second row had just enough space and power to force his way over. Cinderford refused to lie down and exploited a high tackle at the re start to win several penalties that resulted in a scrum 5 metres out. The Bury pack held firm but they could not prevent right wing Frame squeezing over in the corner. Moffat’s kick to win fell short and both sides were happy to share the spoils.