Bury made a fine break out of defence with Shaq Meyers leading the charge, OA's responded with their own break, a line out catch and drive and a try by 11 Andrew Nurse converted by 10 Greg Lound.

Bury 0-7 OA's

From the restart Bury searched for an opening and had an opportunity squandered by an over flat support play. It wasn't long before Bury scored. OA's lineout faltered allowing Bury possession, a midfield break by debutant 12 Ollie Saddleton resulted in a try by 22 Ben Cooper converted by 15 Charlie Reed.

Bury 7-7 OA's

Both sides were attempting to keep possession and play phases, it was OA's that seemed to do better and from a lineout catch and drive a blindside move resulted in a try for the excellent 7 Nathan Michelow. The conversion was missed.

Bury 7-12 OA's

A series of poor Bury kicks gave up both possession and territory and they could have been punished with OA's missing the chance to convert a relatively easy penalty attempt. That ended the first half action.

On the whistle Bury immediately came together for a players led huddle with some wise words spoken!

HT: Bury 7-12 OA's

Bury started the second half with more purpose and shape and a line break by Saddleton led to further Bury phases and a converted penalty by Reed.

Bury 10-12 OA's

OA's had a purple patch but couldn't quite capitalise on field position and the Bury lineout thwarted danger by picking off OA's throws.

Play began to get scrappy as both teams seemed to grow in desperation, however a break by Bury captain Bursey carried on by Hall resulted in a penalty quickly taken by 6 Matt Bursey to score a try close to the posts converted by Reed.

Bury 17-12 OA's

Bury extended their lead with a converted penalty by Reed.

Bury 20-12 OA's

The introduction of Bury sub Will Christie provided Bury with much needed shape and impetus and this was to prove crucial. OA's pressed and Bury attacked from deep with Saddleton showing his quick feet to make impressive yards, however a confusing and rather
bizarre period of play ensued with neither side knowing what decision would come next!

It was Bury that were given the benefit of a rather confusing decision and from a lineout and numerous phases the influential Bursey scored his second, converted by Reed.

Bury 27-OA's 12

OA's did their best to put some structure on the game when in possession but often fell foul of referee Katherine Ritchie. OA's got back on the scoreboard when Nurse scored and was provided with an easy run in, the conversion was missed.

Bury 27- 17 OA's

Bury went in search of a four try bonus point with Will Christie leading the charge ably supported by man of the match Saddleton and almost completed their quest but were held just short. OA's countered and ended up in Bury's 22. An unfortunate injury to Alex Noot led to a long break in play.

When play restarted OA's relentlessly pursued a fourth try and two losing bonus points. They achieved their aim with a second try by Michelow converted by Lound and that brought full time.

Bury 27-24 OA's

Bury will be delighted to return to winning ways and in particular the way they went about their business in the second half. The forwards will celebrate their lineout dominance that certainly halted OA's progress and gave Bury some great opportunities.

OA's on the other hand will regret their lack of lineout accuracy and also how they came to be on the wrong end of some unusual and critical decisions.

Star Man: Bury 12 Ollie Saddleton

Referee - Katherine Ritchie
AR1 - Kevin Jones
AR2 - Paul Carroll

Crowd - 435

Bury 15 Reed 14 Stanway 13 Attfield 12 Saddleton 11 Affleck 10 Hawkins
21 Hall 1 Hill 2 McCartney 22 Cooper 4 Conquest 5 Kelland 6 Bursey 7
Meyers 8 Williams 16 Kingdon 17 Jeffery 18 Browne 19 Grigg-Pettitt 9
Christie

OA's Legg 14 Evans 13 Lilley 12 Sage 11 Nurse 10 Lound 9 McPhun 1
Chamnaoui 2 Bond 3 Samuel 4 Verley 5 Illston 6 Eke 7 Michelow 8
Ponsford 16 Kenward 17 Hawker 18 Mummery 19 Charnock 20 Noot

Matchday Sponsor: Morrish Structural Engineers
Pictures by Beanstalk Media.