Bury...17

Bolton...3

SATURDAY'S match against near neighbours Bolton would be considered a local derby with all the conurtations that this implies.

The reality is different. Bury are at present riding high on a succession of league wins with promotion to a higher division not just a hope, but an achievable goal. Far removed from where Bolton find themselves. They need at least two victories, in view of their league programme, to avoid the drop.

To hype the match is to instill it with implications of tribal rivalry. Nothing is further from the truth. Bury have played Bolton as regular opposition for over 30 years and seen them rise from a side playing on a council pitch with a pub for a clubhouse to the modern facility that they now enjoy and their advancement is to be enjoyed, not envied.

The match at the Radcliffe Road ground was the only survivor in the North Lancs One League programme, even the well-drained Bury pitch gave treacherous underfoot conditions and a brisk north east wind blowing almost lengthways, produced conditons that were both brain and hand numbing and played a major part in the result.

The visitors played with the conditions in the first period, but failed to capitalise. The pack played well and gave three easy scoring opportunities from penalties, only one of which was converted.

Turning with only a three-point advantage was never going to be enough of a margin and it was not who would win, but by how many.

Centre Harvey Leeming opened the Bury account seven minutes into the second period when he fly-kicked a loose ball forward and with a couple more astute dribbles, forced the ball over the line and with a spectacular dive scored the try.

Scrum half Glyn Smith, this week restored to his best position, added the conversion.

Bury completely dominated the second half. The visitors, though enthusiastic, were never able to threaten the Bury line.

The resolute defence of both backs and forwards denied any possibility of a score.

Bury had to wait until 20 minutes had elapsed to add to their tally. After a succession of scrums, No 8 forward Martin Freschini, having replaced Nick Smithson earlier in the match, peeled off the back of the set scrum from 10 metres out, gave a slick pass to Smith and left wing Rob Wardle was gifted the try in the corner.

Freschini kept the glory to himself eight minutes later, again with the pick-up from the base of the set scrum, and, with the visitors in disarray, touched down for an unconverted try.

The scoreline could have given Bury a 30-point margin, but this would have been an unfair reflection on the performance of Bolton.

Bury this week had learnt their lessons from the previous Saturday's performance against Halton and returned to their best configuration.

BURY: Marshall, Whitehead, Shimmins, Smith A, Kwennedy, Westwood (c), Smithson, Robinson, Smith G, Wardle, Webb I, Leeming, Fielding, Webb K. Replacements: Freschini (for Smithson, 5 mins), Livesey (for Smith G, 65).

Tomorrow Bury visit the Ashton-on-Mersey home of MV Trafford (kick-off 2.30pm).