Bury St Edmunds:
Reed, Earnshaw, Loose, Kharbouch, Rees, Penfold, Metcalfe, Robinson, Carmichael, Cooper, Grigg-Pettitt(capt), Kelland, Andrews, Guy, Williams.
Subs Stone, Donovan, Harrison, Lavin, Johnson.

Henley:
Howe, Rawsthorn, Wood, Webb, Gordon, Titchener, Pattison, Collins, Hayhow, Mason, Goodison, Sharif, Basil, Noone, Benning.
Subs Kinniburgh, Bailey, White, Gibbins, Jones.

Referee PJ Russell
Starman Ruraidh Williams Bury
Crowd 435

Scorers

Bury St Edmunds:
Tries Grigg-Pettitt 5, Williams 17, 23, Rees 51, Stone 68.
Cons Reed 6, 18, 24,52, Penfold 69
Pens Reed 46, 54.

Henley
Tries Rawsthorn 9, Benning 26.
Cons Titchener 10, 27.
Pens Titchener 14.

Games between these two sides are often very close affairs, usually only one score separating the sides. Henley would be looking to build on a good recent run of form. Bury would look to end the year on a high in front of a healthy Haberden crowd. Before the match Bury DOR Jacob Ford urged his team to put on a performance worthy of the incredible home support. The Bury boys did not disappoint.

From the outset both teams showed an attacking intent and it was Bury that had the first meaningful chance lost to a knock on. Bury came back attacking in waves with patience and determination. Fittingly captain Geaorge Grigg-Pettitt scored following numerous phases, Charlie Reed converted.
Bury 7-0 Henley

A midfield scrum presented Titcehener an opportunity to produce a sublime kick that Guy Rawsthorn latched onto to score, Max Titcehener converted.
Bury 7-7 Henley

Henley took the lead with a converted penalty by Titchener.
Bury 7-10 Henley

Bury regained the lead following a number of carefully controlled phases man of the match Ruraidh Williams scoring the first of his brace. Reed converted.
Bury 14-10 Henley

Bury's scrum proved to be most effective, often providing the home team with sound front foot ball and stable possession. A scrum option at a penalty and a powerful surge allowed Williams to crash over for his second try, Reed converted.
Bury 21-10 Henley.

Henley hit back with a clever backs move from first phase possession Will Benning finishing an intricate move. Titchener converted.
Bury 21-17 Henley.

Bury ended the half with some coach killing behaviour compounding simple errors with unforced errors, However Henley joined the party with their own unforced errors and couldn't take advantage of some good field position.
Half-Time Bury 21-17 Henley

Bury kicked off the last 40 minutes of 2024 and soon established a rhythm of pace and patient build up. Henley transgressed and Reed converted a penalty to get the second half scoreboard ticking along.
Bury 24-17 Henley

An entertaining period of play followed and either team could have scored however Bury looked more likely, a superb George Loose break and offload allowed Euan Rees to cross for an excellent try. Reed converted.
Bury 31-17 Henley

Shortly after Reed extended the Bury lead with a penalty conversion.
Bury 34-17 Henley

Bury were now oozing confidence and playing some of their best rugby of the season, maintaining possession and proving ruthless with both scrum and lineout. A Bury penalty kicked to the corner and subsequent catch and drive resulted in a popular try for replacement Oliver Stone, Ben Penfold converted.
Bury 41-17 Henley

As Henley began to attack in almost desperation ,an unfortunate high tackle resulted in a spot of pushing and shoving. Referee PJ Russell showed a yellow card to the Bury miscreant and a red card to a Henley back room assistant.
The match ended with both sides looking to end on a high however it was the Bury boys that held the upper hand defending with discipline and patience to snuff out the last few Henley attacks.
Full Time Bury 41-17 Henley

The Bury coaching staff will be pleased with what was probably Bury's most competent ,consistent and composed performance of the season, the comfortable victory providing the loyal fans with an early and welcome Christmas present.

Henley will no doubt discuss some of their unforced errors that cost them good field position and opportunities to have collected at least a losing bonus point.