Bury completed the first half of their under 16 season with a strong showing against local rivals Stowmarket. On a fine Sunday lunchtime Stowmarket kicked off on the first XV pitch at the Haberden, with Bury playing from right to left. A good defensive scrummage was backed up by Ben Nevison-Grainger applying quick pressure to the Stowmarket backline resulting in turnover ball. From the resultant Bury scrum, George Howard realised that Stowmarket had nobody covering the back field, so he intelligently kicked over for Nico Marchini to collect and score; Howard converted.

After 10 minutes Bury doubled their lead with some clever team play. The new centre pairing of Nico Marchini and Jack Griggs combined to good effect, with Marchini shaping to go right before finding a perfectly executed switch pass back inside to a lovely line from Griggs. When he was held up just short the ball was swiftly recycled and Marchini was on hand to cross the line and score. George Howard duly added the extras. Henry Cain and Ben Nevison-Grainger both put in some excellent defensive tackles to help pen Stowmarket back into their own half and on 22 minutes the pressure told as first Griggs then Reuben Sorooshian made good ground before Howard burrowed over to score. He converted his own try to leave the score at 21-0.

Stowmarket stuck to their game and fought back well in the last few minutes of the half, scoring a well-worked try from their first proper foray into Bury territory. They were only denied further scores by some excellent home side defence, with particular credit to Ollie Cooper for some try saving tackles. The half-time score remained at 21-5.

Bury started the second half very strongly and went further ahead in the opening minute. Initially they attacked down the right-hand side, before pouring across the pitch and over-loading the left. Charlie Burrows was having his best game in a long time, and deservedly scored his first try of the season. Shortly afterwards Charlie Chapman and then Vincent La Starza made strong breaks deep into the Stowmarket half, the latter only being stopped by a high tackle. From the subsequent penalty Tom Cornwall kicked well into the 22 and from the next play Reuben Sorooshian made a clever run before finding Chapman arriving at speed to cross over and score.

Midway through the second half Stowmarket scored an interception try to reduce arrears to 31-10, but Nico Marchini stubbed out any feint hopes of a comeback two minutes later when he completed his third hat-trick in as many weeks. He created it himself by chasing down a seemingly lost cause, applying pressure to the lone defender and stealing the ball before crossing over to touch down. Marchini’s fourth try followed soon afterwards, when Reuben Sorooshian again made a superb break, deceiving the Stowmarket defence with his fleet of foot before passing out of the back of his hand for Marchini to score. Tom Cornwall converted to leave the score at 43-10 with ten minutes to play.

Stowmarket responded strongly but more impressive defensive commitment from Bury kept them at arm’s length. Mason Easton made some great tackles in midfield and Lennon Reader was on hand to relieve the pressure with some strong running and ball retention. With only a couple of minutes left on the clock Nico Marchini was alert to intercept and score his 13th try in three matches since his return from injury. Todd Hutchinson converted to leave the final score at 50-10.

This was an all-round welcome performance from a determined and focused Bury side, with the defensive commitment very pleasing alongside an improved attacking display. With Covid-limited fixtures and a large and keen squad it is important to rotate players to ensure fair match time. However, this can mean in-game relationships take more time to form and settle, but it is a credit to this great bunch of lads that they continue to play well together and develop as players and as a squad. A well-deserved Christmas break now, before a return to training for full under 16 laws in the new year, and hopefully increased match time from late January. Thanks go out to all the players and parents for your ongoing support and dedication.