Bury 9 - 10 Old Bedians

Old Bedians’ recent improved form was finally rewarded with a hard earned 1 point victory over Bury. In muddy conditions it was obvious from the start that the home team intended to keep the ball tight amongst their forwards and Bedians’ planned to play to their strengths by getting the ball out wide to their three-quarters. After 5 minutes a set-piece backs move resulted in Mike Gallagher showing great awareness to keep the ball alive after being tackled, he fed Gaz Prytherch who drew his man and released winger Rob Oliver. From there Oliver did what he does best, skipping past two defenders to score in the corner, the conversion was missed, 5-0 to Bedians. The next 25 minutes showed Bedians’ frailties, pressing the self destruct button they allowed Bury to attack them continuously, Bedes conceded too many penalties, mainly as a result of over-eagerness to compete at the breakdown. Three of these penalties where within range of the home side’s impressive goal kicker and Bedians found themselves in the familiar position of being behind in a game in which they were obviously the more able team, 9-5 to Bury.
If one thing can be said for this current crop of Bedians it is that they are honest in defence, throughout the home side’s 25 minute domination of possession hardly any tackles were missed and this hard work was rewarded with a try 10 minutes before half-time. From good second phase ball, centre Rick Snape yet again showed great pace to leave his opposite number grasping at thin air, he was finally brought down just short of the try line and with Bedians players racing in to win the ball at the breakdown, led by Si Jude and Steve Bannell, the home side had to concede a penalty to avoid Bedians scoring. A quick tap from scrum-half Mark Howard allowed him to feed Rob Oliver who touched down in the corner for his second try of the game. Again the conversion was missed and Bedes found themselves 10-9 in front. For the rest of the half Bedians’ backs continued to outclass the home side, numerous breaks were made but the final pass just wasn’t quite coming off as has been the case in numerous games this season. Half-time and Bedes led by one point.
Old Bedians were superb in the second half, the only thing they didn’t do was score what would have been a pressure-relieving third try. The hard work of the forwards, enthused by the commitment of Chris Hetherington, Oli Keck, Jack O’Shea and Steve Bannell gave fly-half Gaz Prytherch the time to either feed his outside backs Mike Roberts, Snape and Gallagher who were by now dominating their opposing players, or pin Bury back near their own try line with accurate kicking, which he did time and time again. Even though they only had the narrowest of advantages, Bedians never looked like losing, the tackling was honest and the decision making was sound, another try was the least Bedians deserved but they won’t complain as the win was what they targeted prior to kick off. If Bedians continue this recent form and keep this squad together, more wins will follow and they will find themselves mid-table where their talents belong.