Bury St Edmunds
Reed, Metcalfe, Loose, Kharbouch, Rees, Penfold, McPhun,
Carmichael-Fraser, Stone, Mitchell, Grigg-Pettitt, Harrison, Sams, Lavin, Williams.
Subs: McCartney, Crompton, Guy, Andrews, Earnshaw.

Worthing Raiders
Worsley, Beer, Tomlinson, Forrest J, Forrest H, Meyer, Rutherford, Bruce, Staples, Streeter, Lake, MacAdams, Dakin, Ure, Taggart.
Subs: Luke, Powell, Gearing-Grief, Boxall, Crow.

Referee: Simon Waite
Crowd: 413
Star Man (Bury): Oliver Stone

Scorers
Bury St Edmunds

Tries: McPhun (11), Metcalfe (15), Rees (41), Lavin (53).
Penalties: Reed (74).
Conversions: Penfold (12, 16, 54).

Worthing Raiders

Tries: Streeter (8), Staples (26), Dakin (62, 80), Taggart (73).
Conversion: Worsley (81).

Match Report
Worthing kicked off a match that featured two teams unusually at the wrong end of the table. The opening exchanges were cagey, with neither side showing much ambition. As the half progressed, Worthing’s big-carrying forwards began to make an impact, and they scored first, following some typical Bury penalties, with Oliver Streeter crashing over. The conversion was missed.
Bury 0-5 Raiders

Despite making numerous metres, Worthing fell foul of unforced errors, allowing Bury to counter-attack with deadly accuracy. A kick through fell nicely for Elliott McPhun to score, and Ben Penfold, on his 50th cap, converted.
Bury 7-5 Raiders

A kicking exchange led to a ruthless Bury counter-attack, with Will Metcalfe scoring. Penfold converted again.
Bury 14-5 Raiders

A series of penalties and unforced errors punctuated the play. Worthing took advantage, kicking into the corner for Jimmy Staples to score from a catch-and-drive. The conversion was missed.
Bury 14-10 Raiders

Bury lost momentum slightly, with possession lost and opportunities for Worthing to counter-attack, though their efforts often came to nothing. Bury ended the half with Penfold converting a penalty after a yellow card offence.

HT: Bury 17-10 Raiders

The second half began with Bury bursting out of the blocks. A well-measured kick from Charlie Reed found Euan Rees, who scored. The conversion was missed.
Bury 22-10 Raiders

Ill-discipline from the Raiders allowed Bury to play phases deep in their 22, with Henri Lavin scoring under the posts. Penfold converted.
Bury 29-10 Raiders

Bury then fell into the same trap, conceding consecutive penalties. Harrison Dakin broke through to score following a tapped penalty, but the conversion was missed.
Bury 29-15 Raiders

As the game wore on, both teams appeared nervous, with errors committed regularly. A Bury goal-line drop-out was returned by the Raiders, and after a few phases, Frank Taggart stormed away to score. Dillon Worsley converted.
Bury 29-22 Raiders

Bury responded with a penalty, converted by Charlie Reed.
Bury 32-22 Raiders

From the restart, Bury conceded a penalty and a yellow card. Worthing kicked for the corner but overcooked it. Bury then conceded another penalty, and this time the Raiders were more accurate, with Dakin scoring his second try from a catch-and-drive. Worsley converted, but referee Simon Waite called time, leaving Worthing just short.

FT: Bury 32-29 Raiders

Bury will be pleased to record their third bonus-point win on the bounce. Worthing will reflect on a much-improved performance but will rue their lack of accuracy in attack and from the boot!

Photography by Alex Rowles.