Bury St Edmunds
Aiden Shortfall, 14. William Metcalfe, 13. George Loose, 12. Samir Kharbouch, 11. William Affleck, 10. Ben Penfold, 9. Elliott McPhun, 1. Patrick Robinson, 2. Finley McCartney, 3. Mitchell Calvin, 4. Ben Kelland, 5. James Harrison, 6. Ruaraidh Williams, 7. George Grigg-Pettit (captain), 8. Benjamin Sams.
Replacements: 16. Ian Carmichael, 17. Ben Cooper, 18. Henri Lavin, 19. Ewan Guy, 20. Euan Rees.

Oxford Harlequins
Gabriel Hammond, 14. Joseph Piggot, 13. Edward Yeats, 12. Adam Field, 11. Archie Van Dijk, 10. Ewan Fox, 9. Jack O'Reagan, 1. Callum Cashman, 2. James Roberts, 3. Joel Hopkins, 4. Allan Purchase, 5. Alexander Hayton, 6. Jack Todd, 7. Thomas Quainton, 8. Willo Bicknell.
Replacements: 16. James Smith, 17. Craig Irwin, 18. Finlay Border, 19. Atunaisa Rasourasou, 20. Harry Burn.

Referee: George Jones
Man of the Match: William Metcalfe (Bury St Edmunds)
Attendance: 511

Scoring Sequence
Bury St Edmunds:

2’ McPhun try, Penfold conversion
11’ Mitchell try, Penfold conversion
21’ Williams try, Penfold conversion
30’ Shortfall try, Penfold conversion
34’ Metcalfe try, Penfold conversion
43’ Affleck try, Penfold conversion
55’ Metcalfe try
66’ Lavin try, McPhun conversion
74’ Affleck try, McPhun conversion

Oxford Harlequins:
40’ Bicknell try, Fox conversion
41’ Roberts try, Fox conversion
60’ Piggot try, Fox conversion
70’ Rasourasou try
78’ Burn try, Fox conversion

Report
Bury St Edmunds began their home campaign in front of a large crowd at Haberden, enjoying the late summer sun. Coming off the back of two disappointing away losses, Bury were determined to kick-start their centenary season with a win against newly promoted Oxford Harlequins.

Despite a match that stuttered at times—due to both teams conceding needless penalties, handling errors, and a few wayward kicks—Bury managed to showcase real quality, with several players displaying exceptional skill.

Bury started the match at a blistering pace, with Elliott McPhun scoring within two minutes, followed by a successful conversion from Ben Penfold.
Bury 7–0 Quins

Shortly after, Calvin Mitchell crossed the line after a series of powerful drives, with Penfold adding the extras.
Bury 14–0 Quins

After a series of penalties, Bury attacked from a lineout, with Ruaraidh Williams crashing over near the posts. Penfold converted again.
Bury 21–0 Quins

Quins had their chances but lacked composure. Bury capitalised when McPhun found space, allowing Aiden Shortfall to score a simple try. Penfold remained flawless with his boot.
Bury 28–0 Quins

Reduced to 14 men, Quins came under immense pressure, and Man of the Match William Metcalfe scored. Penfold converted once more.
Bury 35–0 Quins

Quins then enjoyed a spell of possession, and with Bury reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card, Willo Bicknell took advantage by scoring from a catch-and-drive. Fox converted just before half-time, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope.
Half-Time: Bury 35–7 Quins

The second half saw Quins start brightly, with James Roberts scoring from another catch-and-drive. Fox’s conversion reduced the deficit.
Bury 35–14 Quins

However, a poor kick from Quins was punished by Samir Kharbouch, whose perfectly timed pass set up Will Affleck for his first try of the match. Penfold added the conversion.
Bury 42–14 Quins

Bury’s dominance continued as Metcalfe gathered an offload from Euan Rees to score his second try. The conversion was missed.
Bury 47–14 Quins

Quins responded through Joseph Piggot, who powered over after some sustained pressure. Fox added the extras.
Bury 47–21 Quins

Bury reasserted their control, with Henri Lavin scoring from a scrum, and McPhun converting.
Bury 54–21 Quins

Despite Bury's second yellow card, Quins managed a bonus point try from Atunaisa Rasourasou, though the conversion was missed.
Bury 54–26 Quins

The try of the match came when Bury’s Rees scooped up a speculative kick on his own try line, leading to Affleck’s second try, finished from 60 metres out. McPhun converted.
Bury 61–26 Quins

Quins had the final say, with Harry Burn crossing the line and Fox converting to close the scoring.
Full-Time: Bury 61–33 Quins

Bury will be relieved to have secured their first home win in style, while Oxford Harlequins may reflect on missed opportunities and a kicking strategy that often played into their opponents' hands.

Thank you to our Match Day Sponsor, Steve Lumley Planing Ltd.

Relive the day via the photography of Beanstalk Media - Official Media Partner of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club here. Photography at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club is sponsored by James Bailey Planning Ltd and Fairfield Money Ltd.