Bury St Edmunds’ first National 2 game of season ends in defeat against Tonbridge Juddians

Mark Kohler surges through for Bury (Image: Archant)

Bury started the game well and pressurised Tonbridge, who conceded three penalties within the first 10 minutes.

After Tonbridge missed a drop-kick effort, Bury kept up the pressure, but the league newcomers showed resilience and scored a well-worked try in the 14th minute.

Following the kick off, Tonbridge carried on building momentum and pressured the Bury defence, scoring a further three tries, two of which were converted.

Tonbridge completed their first half of National League 2 leading 26-0.

At the start of the second half, Bury came out fighting, with great attacking play, and put Tonbridge on the back foot.

Dwayne Corcoran cut past multiple Tonbridge defenders to score a well-worked try, Liam McBride converting, and the hosts then went for more points, but a lovely chip and kick was just too long for the pursuing player to reach and went dead.

Tonbridge responded by putting a penalty between the posts three minute’s later, but Bury responded immediately, running a strong attacking line at the Tonbridge defence, Chris Lord running in to score from the wing, McBride converting again.

Bury continued to keep up the pressure, and a strong scrum forced Tonbridge to concede a penalty, which McBride converted to reduce the home side’s deficit to 12 points.

At the restart, Tonbridge responded well to the pressure and started to drive forward, leading to increased pressure on the Bury defence, despite conceding multiple penalties.

Although Bury put up a valiant defensive effort, Tonbridge kept building momentum, which they capitalised on, producing some runs at the Bury pack.

The visitors managed to score three more tries from the wing area, all three of which were converted.

This ensured Tonbridge took the victory on the day of their first ever game in the National League 2 and left Bury with much to ponder.