A dominant second half display saw Bury deservedly reclaim the Suffolk Cup, 52-24.

Both sides took the advantage of a 21-man squad to field some promising youngsters, but it was clear that Colchester were missing some key personnel, whilst Bury were not far short of full strength.

Despite a positive start from Bury it was Colchester who took a surprise lead when, after weathering an early storm, they scored from their first meaningful attack, Calum Irvine wriggling over the line after good work by Nick Flexman.

Bury responded quickly and following a trademark break by Tim Mann, Matt Eddison was on hand to dance over from the recycled ball. Martin’s conversion made it 7-5.

A penalty from Martin then extended Bury’s lead to 10–5 as they began to shade the territory and when Colchester’s star player, Irvine once again threatened the Bury line, a loose pass gave the Suffolk a lineout on their own 22.

Mann utilised the ball in space to break free and send Jake Thurlow romping away. The youngster was hauled down by an incredible chase by John Vine, but when the ball came back, Will Martin was able to dance through by the posts.

The response to going down 17 -5 was instant by a determined visiting side and Irvine again created the opening for Colchester to have an attacking scrum 15 metres out.

A reverse pass to send the ball back blind allowed Vine to slide over in the corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Colchester levelled the scores when they took advantage of a poor Bury lineout. The All Blacks Full Back cut a great angle to make ground and his left wing, despite the attentions of three would be tacklers managed to get the ball down before being bundled into touch.

Bury appeared to have come out more determined for the second half and when a break by Eddison was held up just short of the line, Bury remained patient and created the space for young winger Ricky Jones to slide over in the corner. Martin’s outstanding conversion made it 24–17.

Eggars’ superb catch and then clearance kick set up the next Bury score, Gooderham racing in under the posts. Sadly the youngster hobbled off shortly afterwards with a suspected Achilles injury but it did not hinder Bury too much.

Flank forward Eddison then scored his second try of the night with some deft footwork to round off a flowing move. Martin kicked again and it looked all over at 38–17.

James Mitchell led his Colchester forwards well and his front row colleagues earned his side a penalty at a scrum on the Bury 22. The quickly taken penalty was wasted when a wild pass landed in no mans land and Tim Mann scooped up the ball to race fully 65 metres to touch down

The effort and commitment of a young Colchester side had held strong up to now but they were finally broken. The indignity of being driven off their own ball was heightened further when Kearney gathered up the ball to force his way over for a popular score.

Colchester were not finished however and their talented three quarter line attacked with zeal, left wing John Vine scoring a superb score by the posts.

Colchester finished the game on top, running the ball from deep making Bury scrap for the full 80 minutes before they could reclaim the cup the last held in 2009.