Bury:
Earnshaw, Affleck, Loose, Kharbouch, Rees, Hall, Metcalfe, Mitchell, McCartney, Cooper, Harrison, Russell, Grigg-Pettitt, Guy, Williams.
Replacements: Donovan, Robinson, Sams, Lavin, Collier.

Barnes:
Haydon, Birch, O'Dell, Henry, Walker, McDermott, Davies, Nwakor-Nwanaebi, Humphreys, Kane, Nixon, Okemuo, Spencer-Jones, Gadsby, Hill.
Replacements: Totic, Dean, Stanton, Lodge, Crabtree.

Scorers
Bury:
Tries: Williams (22, 56), Guy (30), Grigg-Pettitt (59), Robinson (76)
Conversions: Hall (31, 57, 60)

Barnes:
Tries: Okemuo (4), Humphreys (12), Gadsby (19), Davies (26), Walker (31), Birch (40)
Conversions: Haydon (5, 13, 20, 27)
Penalty: Haydon (66)

Match Report
Bury kicked off in glorious conditions on the occasion of Ben Cooper’s 150th cap. Unfortunately, the first half did little to honour the milestone, with Barnes racing into a commanding lead, scoring 38 points to Bury’s 12 before the break.

Barnes dominated the early exchanges and struck first through Arinze Okemuo, converted by Elliott Haydon.
Bury 0–7 Barnes

A combination of ill-discipline and ineffective defence handed Barnes a further advantage, as Mathew Humphreys powered over from a catch and drive. Haydon added the extras.
Bury 0–14 Barnes

More pressure and a similar pattern led to George Gadsby touching down after several phases, again converted by Haydon.
Bury 0–21 Barnes

Bury responded with an unconverted try from Ruaraidh Williams.
Bury 5–21 Barnes

However, a faltering set piece and a crumbling scrum allowed Iago Davies to score easily. Haydon slotted the conversion.
Bury 5–28 Barnes

There was some respite for the hosts as Euan Rees crossed after sustained pressure, Callum Hall converting.
Bury 12–28 Barnes

A charged-down clearance gifted Oliver Walker a simple try, although the conversion was missed.
Bury 12–33 Barnes

An error-strewn period ended with another Barnes catch and drive, finished off by Jacques Birch.
Bury 12–38 Barnes

The second half opened with a scrappy spell, both teams struggling to keep possession. A moment of quality saw man of the match Samir Kharbouch release Williams for his second try, Hall converting.
Bury 19–38 Barnes

Alex Earnshaw, increasingly influential, set up captain George Grigg-Pettitt to score, with Hall again on target.
Bury 26–38 Barnes

A comeback looked possible, but Barnes steadied the ship with a penalty from Haydon.
Bury 26–41 Barnes

In the closing stages, Bury produced their best move of the game, finished by Patrick Robinson. The conversion was missed.
A handling error in the final moments summed up Bury’s day and brought the match to a
Bury 31–41 Barnes

Final Thoughts
The Bury coaching staff will reflect on a first-half performance that lacked direction, discipline, and defensive resolve. Though the second half showed greater intensity and cohesion, it ultimately proved a case of too little, too late.

For Barnes, the tale was one of two halves. Their coaching team will be delighted with the early dominance but may be concerned about the significant second-half drop-off.

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