NORTH LANCS CUMBRIA

Rossendale...60pts Bury...0pts

THE first game of the current season was at home against Rossendale, the result a win for Rossendale 22 - 17.

The Bury side felt slightly aggrieved, as the game could quite easily have been won, with the spoils and points going to the home side. How fortunes have changed. Rossendale are now well placed above mid-table and Bury are desperately fighting demotion.

With the bottom league positions being very close, the league demotion will not be decided until all the fixtures are completed and today's game would have a major influence on survival or demotion.

Having played some good rugby during the last two games, the possibility of a result was on the cards, providing the players had the spirit to take the game by the scruff of the neck and compete on all levels.

Unfortunately, apart from a couple of players, the majority of the Bury side capitulated to an aggressive, but fair Rossendale side and after the first ten minutes the result was never in question.

Lack of tackling, poor lineout and set-piece ball by Bury gave a determined Rossendale side all the ammunition they needed, allowing them to score at regular intervals.

With two leagues games left for Bury, it is still mathematically possible to survive. The ultimate demotion places will be decided on the combination of Bury results, the results of other strugglers at the bottom and the disciplinary action being taken against another league side.

The two remaining games must be competed for at the highest level to give the club any chance at all.

With some very strange results in the last few weeks, anything is possible if the attitude is right -- and Bury have a bit of luck.