Bury finished their league season with a disappointing display against Chingford, but had the consolation of knowing that their third place in the division was the highest the club has achieved in its 84-year history.

Chingford 20, Bury 5

Bury finished their league season with a disappointing display against Chingford, but had the consolation of knowing that their third place in the division was the highest the club has achieved in its 84-year history.

Chingford started strongly, using the power of their pack to dominate. In the 12th minute they spread the ball wide, and a good miss move in midfield put the winger over in the corner for a 5-0 lead. Bury responded well, and in the 20th minute PD Terblanche, playing out of position in midfield, chipped over the Chingford rush defence and collected the ball for a fine score. The conversion was narrowly missed into the strong breeze.

Chingford re-took the lead with a penalty for offside and in the sixth minute of injury time extended their lead to 15-5 when Bury failed to put the ball into touch.

The second half saw a poor performance from the visitors, a lack of possession limiting the attacking options, and Bury tried to play in a similar style to Chingford, rather than using the elements to make the yards. Indeed it was only excellent defence from Bury, with Ashley Parkes and Ben Geatches outstanding, that stopped the home team extending their lead. Chingford scored again in the last minute, when a woeful pass from a Bury winger was gathered by a grateful centre.

Bury face Colchester in the final of the Suffolk Cup next Saturday, at the Haberden (3pm), knowing they will have to produce a much better performance if they are to lift the trophy for the second successive year.