BURY 34pts, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE 15

BURY were keen to avenge their pre-Christmas defeat at Ashton.

This was apparent as they dominated open play, but their only reward for 15 minutes of hard work came in the 25th minute when a passing move down the threequarter line, supported by flank forward Andy Blenkharn was rewarded with a penlaty for encroachment by the threequarters. Webb converted easily from some 20 metres out.

In the last minute of normal time in the first half Ashton opened their account with a penalty for a high tackle immediately in front of the posts, which was converted.

Bury almost returned this with profit when outside centre Seane Tippett drove from the line from 30 metres out and dragging three men with him, was grounded only two metres short of the line.

The referee chose the stoppage as an appropriate time to bring the first period to an end.

Bury skipper Darren Whitehead had obviously instructed his men to kill the game off early in the second half and Bury took this on board in the 44th minute when a drive by Jason Smyth, supported by Nick Smithson in the right corner, allowed the threequarter line to release the ball wide across the field and Keith Webb, at full back, linked to score an unconverted try in the left corner.

Just six minutes later Tippett, again displaying his uncomprising straight running, drove for the posts. When stopped some five metres out, prop forward Smyth continued the drive and crashed over under the posts for a try easily converted by out half Webb. The referee had to call both captains together in the 55th minute and warn them that any further dissent would result in at least a penalty.

Some five minutes after this collective chastisement, Ashton fly-hacked the ball and whilst attempting to collect the ball, Webb let it squirm from his grasp and Ashton's outside centre dribbled the ball over the try line.

The conversion was duly added, then with 15 minutes remaining, an astute kick from scrum half Glyn Smith into the dead ball area resulted in Ashton having to ground the ball.

From the 22 drop out Tippett was able to collect and Smithson, in his usual lurking mode was able to collect the ball at the breakdown to score an unconverted try.

The home side's last try was a flash of opportunism, possibly as an apology for an earlier error when Webb intercepted on his own 22 as Ashton's threequarter line advanced towrads the Bury try line.

Having made 70 metres before his legs started to fail him foillowing 12 months out of the game with a knee injury, Webb unloaded to Harvey Leeming who took the try in style by rounding the full back and grounding under the posts. Webb converted.

With the game out of sight, the referee awarded a succession of penalties against Bury which resulted in Ashton gaining a try in the left corner which was unconverted.

BURY: Shimmins, Whitehead, Smyth, Kennedy, Smithson, Westwood, Robinson, Blenkharn, Smith, I Webb, M Boyd, Tippett, Leeming, K Webb, S Boyd.

Tomorrow Bury visit Burnage in the league (kick-off 2.30pm).