Matches involving Bury and Henley are always close-fought encounters and so proved to be the case today. As usual, Bury set off at a rate of knots and scored after five minutes with the irrepressible Bourne scoring after a number of quick and slick Bury phases. Penfold converted.

Bury 7-0 Henley

Unfortunately, play began to break down and numerous unforced errors and ill-discipline from both sides led to a stop-start remainder to the first half. Henley had one really good opportunity when Gibbins set off on a mazy run, good scramble defence held the Henley attack at bay. At times play ranged between the sublime and the ridiculous, some high-level skill would then be matched with a basic handling error. Throughout tenacious defence from both sides prevented any further try-scoring opportunities.

Half time Bury 7-0 Henley

Bury kicked off the second half and seemed adamant on retaining possession. After numerous phases with Loose and Robinson making their mark Bourne crossed for his second try, Penfold converted.

Bury 14-0 Henley

Hawks played some intricate phases and one such phase was abruptly halted with an aggressive tackle by Robinson, unfortunately, Referee Phil Russell judged it to be dangerous and Robinson was despatched to the bin. From the resultant penalty, Hawks kicked to the corner, caught and drove for Totic to score, Titchener converted.

Bury 14-7 Henley

Hawks exuberantly celebrated every little success and this seemed to unnerve Bury resulting in further penalties. Another kick to the corner, another catch and drive that Bury collapsed. A second penalty and a second chance for Hawks to repeat the process for Totic to score his second of the day, Titchener converted.

Bury 14-14 Henley

The match was finely poised as the hour mark approached, Bury seized the initiative suddenly clicking into a rhythm. They should have scored when Affleck headed for the corner, a high tackle only resulted in a penalty that was quickly taken. Wood prevented any advantage and he was dispatched to the bin. As excitement and tempers rose a melee broke resulting in two further yellow cards.
Bury didn't seem willing to make the numerical advantage count, taking a number of poor and tactically inept options that resulted in the Hawks gaining some momentum. A Bury midfield scrum became scrappy however man of the match Bourne rescued the play and Kharbouch found himself in space and he scored from fifty meters out much to the delight of the large crowd. The conversion was missed

Bury 19-14 Henley

A frenetic final ten minutes saw Bury striving for a bonus point try and Hawks desperately seeking a winning score. The last play of the match saw a scrum reset on the Hawks 5m line. When the ball eventually emerged it found its way into the hands of Stanway who powered his way over in the 85th minute Penfold converted Bury 26-14 Henley And that ended a strangely pulsating and compelling contest.

Full-Time Bury 26-14 Henley

The Bury coaching team will be delighted at such a strong finish and the resilience this team are now demonstrating. The Henley coaching team will reflect on the impact of two yellow cards at a critical point in the match.

Photos from Beanstalkmedia can be found here.

Bury
Drury-Hawkins, Affleck, Loose, Kharbouch, Simpson, Penfold, Christie, Robinson, Bourne, Cooper, Willaims, Kelland, Bursey, Meyers, Porteous.
Subs: McCartney, Jeffery, Russell, Hall, Stanway.

Henley
Evans T, Wood, Crowley, Hakimian, Gibbins, Titchener, Webb, Manning, Totic, Mason, Lowe, Lunnon, Benning, Vooght, Taylor.
Subs: Niazi, Hayton, Emery, Crow, White.

Referee Phil Russell.

Final score
Bury 26-13 Henley
Half time
Bury 7-0 Henley

Scorers
Bury Tries Bourne 5, 41, Kharbouch 70, Stanway 85.
Cons Penfold 6, 42, 86.

Henley Tries Totic 45, 52
Cons Titchener 46, 53

Crowd 743

Star man Archie Bourne Bury