Lancashire Trophy Second Round: Bury ... 0 Halton ... 15

A POOR match, neither entertaining to spectators, enjoyable for players, or getting the right result, unless you come from Halton.

The home side having lost the plot two weeks ago at Calder Vale, where Bury were fortunate to snatch a win in the dying moments, followed up with two comprehensive victories against Lytham and Eccles.

On the last two showings, Halton should not have been a problem but on the day they ran out winners. Bury were unfortunate that a combination of unavailability and injuries, with two players missing. This coupled with some positional changes was their undoing.

The half-back pairing should have been Glynn Smith at the base and Jon Loftus at out-half. Darryl Stock played at scrum-half and did have a good game, but has yet to achieve the understanding with Loftus that the alternative pairing would have given. A competent and determined player, Wardle lacks the experience to play at centre, his fellow centre Leeming struggled with this first-time pairing.

The back played competently, with a plentiful supply of ball, especially from the line-out. But so adequate, the three-quarter line failed to capitalise. Faced with some rugged tackling from Halton, Bury never really threatened the line.

Penalty

The only score was a penalty from 20 metres by Halton when Bury were caught offside. Conditions were perfect and Bury went in only three points behind. The ground staff should be complemented for the pitch conditions, the use of a heavy roller mid-week together with comprehensive repairs of the drainage system gave both sides conditions which other clubs would envy.

Halton were to score seven minutes after the resumption when a quick tap penalty saw the right wing make forty metres to score in the corner. Blame must be attached to the Bury defence, who were caught out, fully expecting the kick to touch.

Debutant Bury winger Paul McGaraghy had to withdraw with a back injury with 25 minutes remaining. For Bury, the match was lost by their re-arrangement of resources following the injury.

The new configuration saw John Loftus moved to centre, Wardle to the wing and replacement Glynn Smith to stand-off. Why Smith did not choose to lay scrum-half and move Stott to centre, the writer thinks, was tactically naive. It would have given added pace in the centre and allowed Wardle to play his normal position on the wing. The return to the half-back combination that had served them well in the last two matches could have provided the key to unlock the Halton defence.

Bury did pin Halton back in their 22 for at least 15 minutes but couldn't capitalise. Out of four penalty opportunities, only one shot at goal was attempted and from an easy position was missed, which probably explains why the others were kicked for position.

Halton were to add a converted try in injury time when their colossus of a stand-off walked over the Bury defence to down the ball. All in all, an inept performance from the home side sees them draw some consolation from the fact things can only get better.

TEAM: Smythe, Whitehead, Shimmins, Lebaerts, Smithson, Westwood, Sreschini, Robinson, Stott, Loftus, Fielding, Leeming, Wardle, McGaraghy, Webb K. Subs: Smith (for McGarghy, 55).

Tomorrow, Bolton visit the Radcliffe Road ground for a league match return. Kick-off 2.30 pm.