Bury 27 Redingensians 24

Two tries in the final seconds were not enough to stop up a fired up Bury but did earn the visitors two losing bonus points in this National League 2 clash, writes Simon Lord.

In a scrappy game that neither side really asserted themselves on, it was the more cohesive home side that eased themselves away in the second half to claim the spoils.

Bury had a dream start, Corcoran scoring in the second minute after Mark Kohler had returned a Rams 22 drop out with more than interest. His fine break gave the full-back time and space to out pace the cover defence. Fraser Honey’s conversion nudged Bury 7-0 ahead.

It took the visitors fully 20 minutes to respond but when it did it came not from their renowned forwards but a slick handling move to edge right wing Rossitter over.

Neither side could assert themselves, Kohler twice made fine breaks for Bury but the attacks came to nought, whilst the Rams camped on the Bury line only to be met with determined Bury defence.

Bury had been expected to struggle against an in-form powerful Reading side but they were clearly up for the fight. Early forays had pushed the Rams back and Collen Smith powered over from close range. Honey’s fine conversion stretched Bury ahead.

The lead did not las long. Vooght the influential back rower for the Rams earned his side a penalty and Rossiter added to his tally when he was given the ball two metres out.

Bury however were not in the mood to roll over to the supposed loftier opponents. Winning the re start Bury quickly were on the attack. Scott Browne stormed away and when the Rams were penalised for not releasing in the tackle, Honey made no mistake.

Bury extended their lead when Honey was on target 12 minutes later. After that the nerves from both sides were evident.

Turn overs continued almost at will but it was Bury who looked the more likely winners in this ding-dong match.

A wayward kick allowed Kohler to carry back well once again, he linked well with Harrison who in turn fed Browne. This time the ball went blind for Bixby and Scholes to drive for the line and it was substitute Dan Swithenbank who was on hand to finish off the move. Honey maintained his 100% kicking regime with a fine conversion from out wide to make it 27-14.

A 13-point cushion with seven minutes to go was a job well done for Bury but the Rams refused to lie down and pushed forward in the hope of gaining at least a losing bonus point.

As it turned out they acquired two.

First their forwards showed their strength to make a close range penalty work to go over, Jarvis unable to convert.

With the final play of the game Bury were perhaps guilty of letting the Rams escape too easily from their own 22 allowing Rossitter to complete his hat-trick after hooker Ollie Moffitt had broken free from the shackles.