IT is universally acknowledged that the industrial and chemical revolution had their homes in the most unlikely of places.

The wonder that is the world's first iron bridge, built by Telford, across the gauge of outstanding natural beauty was the result of the proximity of the raw materials to produce the components for it's construction.

The Midlands and Black country industrial engine lay at the heart of the innovation that would fuel an empire.

Similarly in the triangles formed by the villages of Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford saw the birth of the chemical revolution based on rock salt and soda ash, from this sprung the chemical colossus imperial chemical industries in the heart of this Cheshire idyll.

It was to the first of these villages that Bury travelled to home of Winnington park, nestling on the edge of what was the ICI sports centre before the break-up of the parent company. Retail parks and McDonalds have replaced the industry of the past but good rugby is still played by both the host side and their adjacent neighbours Northwich.

Bury, newly promoted this season, were now playing a side another level above and at best were facing a damage limitation exercise. In saying this, the result could have been much closer, all the players, without exception, deserve praise for endeavour, dogged defence allied to a fitness level far above that of recent seasons.

The hard facts are that five of the Winnington tries came from naivety and inexperience of Rugby at this level, quite simply if you kick it clear you must either find touch, put the ball in front of your forwards, or at least make the opposition turn and retire, not advance and profit.

Winnington were to score six tries and one goal in the first half without reply, flanker Robinson did charge down one conversion covering some 30 metres to frustrate the kicker. The Bury pack did enjoy a good 15 minute spell mid-way through the first half and were unlucky not to score on at least two occasions.

With a 37 point deficit after resumption, the visitors were now playing purely for pride, but the home side were to add two more tries in the third quarter before Bury were able to slam the gate.

No more points were conceded, thanks to a sterling effort until the last three minutes when Bury, having given their all, simply ran out of gas.

It is not, however, all doom and gloom. Bury were up against a skilled and cohesive unit. Some 70% of the Winnington players were products of their youth development programme. When speaking to their President after the match he commented that he though the Winnington pack played below par. The truth however is that they were matched in all departments and outplayed in some.

Given some key players returning after injury this Bury side will improve and confidence will return, and with that dominance will return and points will result. For the historians, Saturday saw the brothers Colin and Rob Wardle playing in the centre, last time such an event occurred was over twenty years ago when David and Martin Freschini, Freschini senior - Martin - did not play this week, excuse influenza, he must be getting soft but no-one is brave enough to tell him.

Shimmons, Kelly, Smyth, Roberts, Kennedy, Westwood (c), Smithson, Robinson, McCloed, McDonagh, Kyle, Wardle C, Wardle R, McGarraghy, Ormerod. Replcement: Lawson (for Roberts 37). This week Bury entertain Carlisle in the league programme at the Radcliffe Road greound. Kick-off 3pm.