Having worked hard under Head Coach Scott Rannochan during pre-season the Mighty Rovers were ready to kick off their league season with a home match versus Clacton Kestrels.

When these two teams meet it is usually a hard-fought and entertaining encounter and today was to be no exception.

Bury started the game with a real intensity to their efforts, straight onto the front foot and putting Clacton under pressure in their own half. It only took two minutes for Dan Salter to score the first try of the season, dodging and swerving his way from 15m out before powering over the line. Kallum Mulhall added the extras to complete a fine start for the home side. From the re-start Bury again applied significant pressure, Mulhall kicking a long penalty to the Clacton 22m line and then a few minutes later following this up with an intelligent kick and chase with great support from Henry Lord.

On 13 minutes, Lord drove play up field with a strong, jinking run, before being well tackled by the Clacton defence. Matt Mason was on hand to expertly clear out the ruck and Dan Oldaker was in the right place at the right time to charge over and score. Clacton realised they were being set a tough challenge and responded brilliantly, applying some concerted pressure which the Bury defence did well to withstand until they drove over from a 5m scrum to score next to the posts. A period of end-to-end play ensued, with both teams looking to play some decent, running rugby. For Bury the scrummage was continuing in the same vein as last season, completely dominating up front, and in the backline Lord, Harry Cardwell and the younger Mulhall (Theo) were exceptional with ball in hand and made some important territory.

Debutants Josh Gathercole and Mike Kauffman were performing well in the backs, and the latter made an exciting break that almost increased the home side’s advantage. Moments later captain Dave Stevens did score and Bury were deservedly 17-7 ahead. On 35 minutes Kauffman got the try his performance deserved, successfully chasing a lovely chip kick by Mulhall over the Clacton defence, showing some skill to bring the ball under control and then speeding away to score. From the re-start Clacton added a second try to their tally, but back Bury came again, determined to end the first half on a high. Just before the whistle went there was no stopping Will Gadd from bulldozing over the line after great work from Stephen Woollard. Kallum Mulhall added the kick to give Bury a 29-12 at the interval.

The second half saw Clacton attack strongly, both sides knowing that the next score was vital in what have historically been close matches. Bury defended stoutly, and their set piece continued to operate at a high standard. Unfortunately the influential stand-off Kallum Mulhall had to leave the pitch in some considerable shoulder pain and this momentarily threatened to disrupt the Bury team. Skipper Stevens stepped up and decided to settle any nerves before they had a chance to develop, scoring his second try of the day – Cardwell added the extras from the touchline and Bury were 36-12 ahead with half an hour remaining.

With the game apparently over as a contest on the scoreboard it briefly threatened to boil over in other ways, but fortunately stalwart Matt Mason was on hand to act as peacemaker and calm some fraying tempers. A yellow card was shown to each side and this seemed to further prevent the match from deteriorating. With 10 minutes left, Woollard picked up from the back of the scrum and somehow saw a route to the try line from 40m out. The Bury strength and conditioning expert showed the benefit of his summer fitness drive to make a great individual try look easy. Theo Mulhall added the conversion.

Bury continued to attack and deservedly completed the afternoon’s scoring with the last play of the day. From an attacking scrum on the Clacton 22m line, Lord dummied left taking some cover defence with him, but Charlie Chapman (another player making an excellent senior debut) picked up and broke right. He beat two men before lovely soft hands saw him find Stevens to run over and complete his high-class hat-trick. Cardwell brought up the half century with the final conversion, completing a 50-12 victory.

The Bury boys can be well pleased with their efforts today – so often they have been slow starters, but today came out with a real fire in their belly and a determination to take the game to Clacton. Even when the match appeared to be safe on the scoreboard the pressure was maintained and there were excellent performances across the whole squad. The defensive effort was impressive and the additional fitness work over the previous two months appears to have paid off. Next week sees the visit of Mersea Island to the Haberden, but for now the team can enjoy a handsome start to the season.

MOTM: Dave Stevens
DOTD: Morgan Keeble

Enjoy imagery from the day from Official Photography Partner, Beanstalk Media, here.