Bury 16 Eton Manor 16
Bury missed a golden opportunity to go top of London One as the visitors scored a last minute equalising score. Only the crossbar saved the home team as the conversion attempt bounced back rather than over. This is the second draw at home this season where Bury have conceded a last gasp score, and in a match which recent performances would have produced a comfortable victory.
Bury started strongly, and Brenton Krammer crossed the line twice, once spilling the ball and then being adjudged in touch by an alert official. Eton Manor responded with a score, missed tackles by Bury producing a fine try for their winger. Briggs soon narrowed the gap with a penalty, but the first half showed the forced changes in personnel from last week had weakened the team, particularly in the front five where Eton manor held a considerable advantage.
The second half started with Bury on the offensive and looking comfortable. Briggs kicked a penalty, and then skipper Anthony Fox made 50 yards in a storming run, resulting in prop Joe Winter barrelling over from 10 yards out for a score. Briggs missed the resulting conversion. Further pressure led to a fine line out drill and Fox drove over to score, but again the conversion was missed. At 16-8 the large home crowd would have expected Bury to close out the game, but several opportunities were spurned by poor decision making, and Eton Manor realised there was a way back into the game. They kicked a penalty from good pressure, and then the home team tried to create an attack from deep in their own half which was destined to fail. Eton Manor regained possession deep in home territory and with the game deep in injury time their winger slid over in the corner for the draw. A fine outcome for the visitors, and hopefully one that Bury will not rue later this season.