Bury Broncos 28 - 18 Wigan St Judes A

Broncos earn hard fought win

This was a very pleasing win for the first team after a very difficult period for the club this result was just the tonic needed. With a massive amount of players missing, either injured, working or away, numbers were very tight and three late withdrawals left the squad struggling. However Chris McGarry, Richard West and Matt Lawrowitsch stepping in and the ever reliable Dave Latham going on the bench a scratch side took to the field.

In games like this teams either sulk or put their hands up to play, the Broncos did the latter, superbly led by captain Martin Wilcock and debutant Matt Lawrowitsch, who's strong carries pushed the visitor back time after time. Bury's pressure almost told when Garry Kabamba broke the line, only a great try saver from the Judes fullback denying him a score. Completely against the run of play a bad missed tackle led to a Judes try, the visitors going in to a 0-6 lead .Despite this setback the Broncos continued to press the St Judes line and got their deserved reward when Martin Wilcock forced his way over from short range - 4-6. Following more great work from the forwards fullback Sean Kelly found himself one on one with a prop and rounded him with ease, Jay Rawlinson converting to take the sides in at half time 10-6.

This was no more than the team deserved and playing downhill second half it looked like they would take complete control, but once more it was Judes who scored next. A kick hit a Bury player, rebounded to the Judes winger who hacked it on and followed up to score a very fortuitous converted try 10-12. The next try went to Joe Cooke, the hooker's speed at acting half troubled Judes and he scooted over from close range try converted by Jay Rawlinson for a score of 16 -10. Unfortunately after scoring Cooke was punched and after a flare up involving both teams (with Chris McGarry and Liam Sixsmith to the fore for Bury) the ref sin binned two from both teams and sent off a Judes player, unfortunately not the one who ran in to punch Cooke. The broncos scored again when Sean Kelly put Richard West through the line for a try, Rawlinson again with the extras - 22-12. The Broncos should now have closed out the game but the old faults of penalties and poor completion allowed Judes the field position to score a well worked try out the back to their left winger, well converted from the touchline, to put Judes back in the hunt at 22-18. These were a nervous few minutes for the Broncos as St Judes threw everything at them but some great defence from Danny Kelly, Dan and Tom Farr as well as some big carries from centers Liam Sixsmith and Abdou Radwan (who played despite carrying an injury) kept the visitors at bay. Following more good work from McGarry and Taylor, the the ball found its way to West ,the second row putting in a neat kick through the line which he followed up for a well taken try. Jay Rawlinson finishing a good afternoon by kicking the goal to give the Broncos a well deserved 28-18 victory in what was at times a bad tempered match.

Huge respect to the lads who turned out today with everyone contributing fully to the win. This was also a deserved reward for coach Graham Holroyd, whose hard work this season has not always got the results it has merited. All clubs go through tough patches and this has been a tough few weeks for the Broncos, but todays result, as well as a renewed energy brought from Acting Chairman Liam Owen, should send the club into their Tenth Birthday celebrations in good spirits.