Tyldesley...32pts Bury...3pts - THE match survived the vagaries of the weather, an overnight thaw giving a window to allow the game to take place.

This was the Bury first XV's first visit to the new pitches and clubhouse that Tyldesley now enjoy. Located only some 600 yards from their old facilities, which, to be charitable, were basic, the new clubhouse and three new pitches are magnificent.

The pitches, despite only having been prepared for some 12 months, were in remarkably good condition.

It is perhaps ironic that this was brought about by a land swap and subsequent development, courtesy of one of the companies controlled by entrepreneur and Bury RUFC back row forward of the 60s and 70s, John Whittaker, now a tax exile in the Isle of Man.

Bury had won the earlier league encounter against a curiously lack-lustre Tyldesley outfit, but in Saturday's match, though fielding a little changed side, the level of commtiment and skill was at a much higher pitch and they were to reap the rewards.

Bury played into a biting wind in the first period and conceded two tries and a conversion within the first 15 minutes, to pardon the cliche, they were caught cold and some indifferent tackling did not help.

Tyldesley were to lose their openside flank in the 15th minute to the sin bin, but Bury could not capitalise on their advantage.

Their problems were compounded when prop Rick Roberts withdrew with injury with Sammy Kelly as replacement. The reshuffle meant captain John Westwood moving to prop and Kelly to the openside.

Bury played the first 20 minutes with the wrong configuration in half backs and inside centre, but a re-arrangement saw Glyn Smith move to scrum half, Ian Webb to stand off, Darryl Stott taking over the inside centre berth. The improvement was immediate.

Bury had three good try-scoring opportunities, but in snooker parlance they were not getting the run of the ball. Their only reward being a penalty from 30 metres when Tyldesley were penalised for a lifting ofence in the line. Tyldesley replied with an easy conversion from 20 metres when Bury killed the ruck.

Bury went to the turn 12 points in arrears, but now with the advantage of the conditions hopes were still high.

During the interval wing Liam McDougall was forced off with injury and replaced by Mark Fielding returning after a long absence having recovered from a nasty injury requiring surgery.

His pace and tackling seem unaffected and will be a great asset if he can keep fit.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Tyldesley mounting most of the pressure, but Bury were to break out on several occasions, but again were frustrated in the last 22 metres.

Tyldesley were to score tries in the 44th, 58th and 67th minutes, only one of which was converted. However, Bury were to dominate the last 15 minutes and camped in the home side's half, but could not convert their efforts into points.

To their credit, however, they did not allow the opposition as has happened in a lot of matches recently to run in easy points in the latter period.

Prop Jason Smythe was elected Bury's man of the match by the match sponsor, a close call from veteran back row Andy Leighton.

The match official was excellent, as was the hospitality offered by the club to players and spectators, just a pity about the result.

BURY: Roberts, Whitehead, Smyth, M Stott, Kennedy, Westwood (cpt), Smithson, Leighton, D Stott, Smith, Webb, Robinson, McDougall, McGarraghy, Livesey. Replacements: Kelly (for Roberts 20 mins), Fielding (for McDougall 40 mins).

Tomorrow Bury visit Fleetwood (kick-off 2.15pm).