A new year and a new opportunity for both of these sides to demonstrate their top-of-the-table credentials. Despite the horrendous recent weather, the Bury groundsman Toby Mills presented an excellent surface testament to his hard work, skill and dedication.
Before the match, the Bury head coach Jacob Ford underlined his desire for the Haberden outfit to click back into the impressive momentum built up in an eight-match unbeaten run leading up to the Christmas break. Canterbury had also been in a rich vein of form and a number of impressive results had elevated them to sixth in the league.

The match kicked off in almost perfect conditions and it was Bury that forced the early pressure. After a number of promising forward thrusts captain Matt Bursey crossed for the first score, but the conversion was missed.

Bury 5-0 Canterbury

Moments later Bury crossed the try line once more, playing the Bury way allowed Ruraidh Williams the space to score a try that proved popular with the healthy crowd, Ben Penfold converted.

Bury 12-0 Canterbury

Despite a quick fire and promising start Bury succumbed to a number of unforced errors and a Canterbury penalty kicked to the corner resulted in a well-executed catch and drive for Nathan Morris to touch down, Frank Reynolds converted.

Bury 12-7 Canterbury

Any thoughts of a Canterbury comeback were quickly snuffed out with Archie Bourne underlining his credentials as one of the most skilful hookers in the league crossing for a well-taken try, Penfold added the conversion.

Bury 19-7 Canterbury

The remainder of the first half was played out as a midfield battle with Canterbury trying their best to establish some dominance in the contest, Bury soaking up pressure and then frustratingly succumbing to their perennial unforced errors. Fortunately for Bury Canterbury couldn't quite seize the initiative and the half played out without any further scores.

Half Time Bury 19-7 Canterbury

The second half began and continued in the same way as the first half ended. It took some time before Bury seemed to click and a number of fast and skilful phases with man of the match Kharbouch making a number of telling carries allowed Ben Penfold to score under the posts, a try he converted himself.

Bury 26-7 Canterbury

As the match entered the final quarter both sides had opportunities to score further tries however defence for both teams proved effective and disciplined. Canterbury put together a number of promising phases and suddenly prop forward Elliott Lusher found himself in space and he scored under the posts, Reynolds converted.

Bury 26-14 Canterbury

The latest Canterbury score caused somewhat of a hullabaloo amongst the Haberden crowd, much raucous support and encouragement seemed to spur Bury on. As the match entered the final ten minutes Bury substitute Lewis Jeffery crossed for a well-deserved "bench" try, and Penfold converted.

Bury 33-14 Canterbury

Canterbury attacked in a number of waves as they desperately searched for an opening to grab a bonus point. The Bury boys defence held firm and it seemed that the Haberden outfit had the edge on fitness and this held them in good stead. Referee Jack Sutton blew the final whistle on a match where he had no need to display any cards of any colour in a well-contested, sometimes scrappy but always well-disciplined top-six clash.

Full-Time Bury 33-14 Canterbury

The Bury head coach Jacob Ford, although pleased with the result and some parts of his team's performance, expressed his annoyance at a number of unforced errors that led to a somewhat scrappy performance, particularly after such a good start. Jacob identified how positive the team's fitness was and how effective the impact of the bench proved recognising this would always be a twenty-player match. Jacob further underlined how important it was to secure a bonus point win whilst other fixtures had been kind to the West Suffolk outfit. This result lifts Bury to third in the league and the next few fixtures will demonstrate Bury's true promotion candidate credentials.

Photos from Beanstalkmedia can be found here.

Bury
Drury-Hawkins, Affleck, Loose, Kharbouch, Attfield, Penfold, Christie, Robinson, Bourne, Cooper, Grigg-Pettitt, Kelland, Bursey, Strath, Williams R.
Subs McCartney, Jeffery, Porteous, Simpson, Russell.

Canterbury
Waddington, Law, Jones, Best, Moss, Reynolds, Williams T, Lusher, Morris, McColl, De Vries, Stephens, Dengate, Rogers, Oliver.
Subs Orris, Evans, Huntley, Cooper, Malik.

Referee Jack Sutton

Half time score
Bury 17-7 Canterbury

Full time
Bury 33-14 Canterbury

Scorers
Bury
Tries Bursey 8, Williams 12, Bourne 20, Penfold 23, Jeffery 74 Cons Penfold 13, 21, 54, 75

Canterbury
Tries Morris 16, Lusher 71.
Cons Reynolds 17, 72.

Star man
Samir Kharbouch Bury

Crowd 551