National League Two South Worthing Raiders 24 Bury St Edmunds 18 Bury started the game very well, but were made to pay for ill discipline late in the second half as they lost on the road at Worthing, writes Mark Wapshott.

The Suffolk side were quickly up 10-0, as a penalty from Fraser Honey was followed by an impressive 55-metre interception return for a converted try from Mark Kohler.

But the Raiders heavier pack used their weight advantage from a good line-out and a well-drilled catch and drive five metres out, trundling over for a try from Will Giering, the extra two points from the boot of Matt Mclean.

Bury then came back from an attacking scrum 10 metres out and winger Guillame Duplenne darted over for the try tight on the touch line.

The conversion attempt missed, but Bury led 15-7.

Worthing then got into their stride, pulling the defence left then right on a number of occasions and although the Wolfpack defence managed to hold their line well, the Raiders popped over for a try under the post which was easily converted.

The score at the break was 15-14 to Bury.

Worthing came back into the second half with renewed vigour and from the restart sped up the middle with a number of pick and goes as Jonathan Wittall scored and Mclean converted for a 21-15 lead.

Back came Bury again, Honey slotting a penalty to make it 21-18.

With nine minutes to go, it appeared the Wolfpack could get their act together and pull their game together as the backs were working well, using intelligent kicks from hand and the pack became more dominant with each engagement.

But two yellow cards in quick succession, to Sam Bixby and then Kohler, meant that the team was down to 13 with eight minutes to go. Without giving up, the pressure was on in more ways than one.

With the clock ticking down, Raiders slotted another penalty to make it 24 – 18, and although the Wolfpack were camped in the Worthing 22, it was only a matter of time before the referee called time.

Bury head coach Ollie Smith said after the game: “We had to dig deep for the last ten minutes and the result could have been very different if we could keep 15 on the pitch.”