Harwich lined up minus the casualties of last week’s Flanker Simon Pitham and No.8 Richard Miller together with other key members of the squad forcing eight changes to the starting line-up and offering an opportunity to others to put claim to the shirt, it also saw appearances from Grant Rayner, Rob Nicoll, Josh Newland and Ian Woodward for the first time this season.

Early warning alarm bells were ringing right from the kick off when the visitors failed to collect the ball which the Bury winger was quick to recover and terrorise the defence with pace as it took several attempts to stop ending, up with wing Lewis Kerley bundling him into touch.

The changeable Suffolk weather played its own part in proceeding, switching from heavy rain to bright sunshine as both side tried to settle into the contest it was a real game of attrition and evenly matched as they competed in the centre of the pitch, both team were forced into early changes Bury losing their lock and Harwich Prop James Mann within five minutes of the start.

The dead lock was broken fifteen minute into the game when Craig Wilson converted a long penalty a narrow lead which was held for most of the half until Bury took their first try of the game, No8 breaking from the back of the scrum close to the Harwich line to give the hosts a 7 – 3 lead at the half way mark.

The game finally balanced it would be the smallest errors that would be punished and missed tackles from Harwich saw a great individual effort from the Bury wing for an early try and the potential for the flood gates to open as fatigue was setting into the older Harwich side they delved deep to keep on touch.

Harwich centre pairing of Guy Williams and Sam Jewell stood rock solid stopping all efforts coming their way resulting in Bury changing tactics switching to the kick and chase which suited a side full of running which also met with a robust resistance but the visitors could prevent two further converted tries despite a terrify effort.

Team: M Sanders-Crook, G Rayner, J Mann, S Woodley, I Woodward, S Mills Snr, J Sciberas, R Nicoll, M Bow, C Wilson, L Kerley, G Williams, S Jewell, D Warren, J Newland, O Bray[C], L Durrant, R Kemp, R Boyne.

This week Harwich are away to Essex University, KO 3.00.