Bury St Edmunds
Shortall, Rees, Loose, Kharbouch, Affleck, Riddington, Metcalfe,
Carmichael-Fraser, McCartney, Cooper, Kelland, Harrison, Lavin,
Grigg-Pettitt, Williams.
Subs
Stone, Robinson, Sams, Guy, McPhun.

Colchester
Varela, Stanway, Bodkin, Lloyd, Taylor, Button, Creighton, Jeffery C,
Rossouw, Jeffery L, Lewis, Friend, Pickett, Whiteman, Tabuatamata.
Subs
Turner, Colcomb, O'Neil, Kerr, Parry.

Referee: Simon Waite
Star Man: Corey Button (Colchester)
Crowd: 875

A large crowd gathered in anticipation of this "Suffolk" derby, with a new-look Bury team facing a Colchester side featuring no fewer than nine former Bury players. Bury were looking to regain some confidence after a tough visit to Dorking, while Colchester perhaps fancied their chances against a somewhat misfiring Bury outfit.

The opening minutes were rather cagey, with both sides finding their feet. Bury conceded a number of early penalties, and man of the match Corey Button made good inroads into the Bury defence. A Colchester catch and drive came to nothing, and minutes later Bury opened the scoring after keeping possession for several phases, with Henri Lavin crashing over. The conversion was missed.
Bury 5-0 Colchester

Minutes later, the mercurial Will Metcalfe snaked through a gap to score a fine individual try, with Mat Riddington adding the conversion.
Bury 12-0 Colchester

The remainder of the first half saw Bury enjoying the majority of possession, but much of their play was lateral, allowing Colchester to defend for long periods with discipline and aggression. Colchester seized on Bury errors to alleviate pressure and move out of their own half. On one such occasion, Bury were penalised again, and Button converted for Colchester’s first points.
Bury 12-3 Colchester

Half-time: Bury 12-3 Colchester

The second half began in a similar manner, until a Colchester indiscretion was penalised. Bury opted for a scrum, and Metcalfe capitalised on a defensive lapse to score his second try, with Riddington converting.
Bury 19-3 Colchester

Bury changed their approach, and some carefully placed kicks turned the Colchester defence. One such kick, regathered by Kharbouch, found its way to Riddington, whose delicately placed kick enabled Will Affleck to score a fine try in the corner. Riddington converted.
Bury 26-3 Colchester

Colchester responded with some fine running rugby, orchestrated by Button. His break and some positive carries and offloads allowed Jacob Bodkin the space to score a tidy try, though the conversion was missed.
Bury 26-8 Colchester

Colchester took advantage of some Bury ill-discipline by running penalties, gaining good ground before Colcomb strolled over unopposed following a poorly defended catch and drive. Button converted.
Bury 26-15 Colchester

A scrappy period of play ended with a scruffy try for Samir Kharbouch, though the conversion was missed.
Bury 31-15 Colchester

Another Bury penalty gave Colchester great field position, and Bodkin ensured a two-on-one situation was well executed, with Francois Rossouw streaking away to score. Button converted.
Bury 31-22 Colchester

Colchester dominated as time slipped away, pressing for a bonus point try. However, an unfortunate mishandle allowed Euan Rees to demonstrate his footballing skills, dribbling the ball a considerable distance to score a fine opportunistic try. The conversion was missed.
Bury 36-22 Colchester

Bury will be pleased with a hard-fought bonus point win over their close rivals. The coaching team will view this as a step in the right direction, despite some disjointed play at times. Colchester, on the other hand, will wonder how they came away with nothing, despite never really being out of the match. Perhaps if they had cast off their inhibitions earlier, they might have secured at least a bonus point.

Bury scorers:
Tries: Lavin (6), Metcalfe (14, 46), Affleck (50), Kharbouch (70), Rees (81).
Conversions: Riddington (15, 47, 51), Shortfall (82).

Colchester scorers:
Tries: Colcomb (54), Bodkin (67), Rossouw (75).
Conversions: Button (68, 76).
Penalties: Button (24).