National League Two South Bury St Edmunds 27 Redruth 14 Bury deservedly ground out a victory with a battling display against Redruth in appalling conditions, writes Simon Lord.
Chris Snelling opened the scoring for Bury on three as Will Scholes, back in the side after a bout of flu, burst through to stretch the Red’s defence.
The ball swung back right and Snelling was on the end of the overlap to ground the ball. Liam McBride’s fine conversion from wide out made it 7-0.
Ruth responded well, looking confident and strong in attack. Twice the Cornishmen picked and drove through the middle of the Bury defence as they fanned out and it took them up to the try line.
Former Bury player Loma Kivalu proved unstoppable from close range and with Kevern’s successful conversion it brought the scores level on 10 minutes.
However, Bury were not to be put off their stride and showing real tenacity in defence they didn’t give the visitors a moments rest. Jake Ashby marshalled his forwards superbly and he deservedly scored Bury’s second try.
A series of penalties then saw Bury gain good field position and once again the line-out functioned to give Bury a strong attacking position.
Snelling timed his run in from the opposite wing to take a lovely reverse pass from skipper McBride to slice his way over and it was 21-7 at the break.
The second half saw no let up in the wet and windy conditions and Redruth, conscious that the next score would be pivotal, looked to assert control early on.
The Bury defence were stretched but they hung on and it was almost the hour mark before Chris Fuca toched down from a 5 metre catch and drive. Kevern’s conversion was superb given the soggy conditions, so it was 21–14 and the game was definitely back in the balance.
Any hopes the Cornishmen might have had in getting back level faded as it was Bury who made the stronger finish.
Ashby kept pushing his troops forward and Redruth began to feel the effects of a man down after a yellow card.
Bury could not quite get the fourth, bonus-point earning try, although Snelling came close to making it a hat-trick. Instead they had to settle for two Fraser Honey penalties to make the game safe.
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