Another impressive result for the Wolpack as London Irish beaten

Bury's Yasin Browne scores a try for Bury. Photo: SHAWN PEARCE (Image: Archant)

The Wolfpack had enough in the bank to see off a spirited Irish revival to take the points at a bitterly cold Haberden, writes Simon Lord.

Nine tries suggests the game was a thriller but with numerous stoppages for injuries and re-set scrums saw the match lasted over a 100 minutes and left most of the crowd desperate for the warming sanctuary of the clubhouse.

The hosts recovered from going behind on just four minutes to take a lead they never really looked like surrendering. The Irish first meaningful spell with the ball was kept alive until the dangerous Hodgkinson and Owens combined for the left wing to dance his way over.

Bury’s dominance in the set piece quickly got them on top. A penalty earned at a scrum allowed McBride to land a simple kick before he then converted Corcoran’s try minutes later.

Bixby seized on an overthrown line-out to supply McBride.

The skipper’s long cut-out pass found Lord who in turn sent Kohler sprinting away. When Corcoran received the ball he still had work to do but he stepped inside the first tackler and then had enough speed to avoid the next for a score by the posts.

The Geese did briefly re-take the lead, Second row Moore powering his way over from close range after Bury could not take advantage of another fine Kohler break.

Bury have learnt to their cost previously not to kick to the dangerous back three at London Irish and the game plan was far more effective. The ball stayed closer to hand and the Bury forwards were in no mood to let the Irish beak free as they turned the heat up at scrum time with Brown and Coutts dominating.

A penalty try was deservedly awarded on the half hour mark and pressure told again before the interval when Scholes fine steal in the line-out allowed the ball to be recycled several times before Yas Browne was bundled over from close range, as Bury led by 10.

The second half was barely a minute old when an alert Bixby stole the ball from a ruck to release the Bury three-quarters and Corcoran helped himself to his second try against his native countrymen.

Before the Irish could take stock, they had conceded again. Kohler once again broke free in midfield, Stapleton carried further when he was stopped 10 metres out this time it was Lord, up in support, to round the move off.

A scrappy final 25 minutes, not helped by numerous stoppages, saw the Wild Geese score two tries of their own to claim a bonus point.

Bury seemed to have lost their way a little, a trait that has affected them a few times this season after they have built up a healthy lead.

The discipline levels dropped and they were forced to back pedal for much of the final quarter.

Irish finished the game the stronger, looking for a fifth try that would have got them in losing bonus point territory, but appropriately, Kohler stole the ball to allow his skipper to kick the ball from the field.