Winless West no match for impressive Conquest
On a poignant day at The Gables, with a large pre-match memorial lunch commemorating recently departed stalwarts Ivor Cleverley, Bob Rainbow and Greg Horan, Bury were full value for a scintillating win.
In a match where a strong wind dictated throughout, Westcliff, still winless, were further hampered by the effects of a virus which deprived them of the services of three key forwards prior to the match, causing them to have to dig deeper even than usual within their at present limited resources.
However, those who took the field as ever gave 100 per cent Playing with the wind in the first half, Westcliff were ahead after only a minute in bizarre fashion, with an attempted Bury clearance kick blowing backwards into their in-goal area to allow Jack Hogarth to touch down.
It was clear that the wind was going to be worth at least 20 if not more points, and Westcliff were several times close to increasing their lead, only to be frustrated by a combination of errors and staunch Bury defence.
Instead, Bury were able to break free against the run of play to register an equalising score from Patrick Robinson, converted by Kodi Drury-Hawkins, who was to enjoy a faultless afternoon with the boot.
From the restart, Westcliff regained the lead with Hogarth pouncing on a loose ball in the Bury 22 and outstripping the cover. Greg Bannister’s conversion put the hosts back in front but from Westcliff ‘s point of view this was as good as it was going to get.
With time running out in the first half, slack defence was punished twice in the last five minutes of the first half, allowing the visitors two tries from number eight Ruaraidh Williams, both converted by Drury-Hawkins.
Thus at half-time the visitors turned round with a nine point cushion, with the writing already on the wall.
Westcliff ‘s woes continued with three yellow cards in quick succession, leaving them against the wind with 12 men against 15.
It said much for their character and resilience that Bury were made to fight for every try which they registered during this period, but tries inevitably came as Bury’s work and skill rate intensified, with six unanswered second-half tries, two from Rob Conquest, two from Will Christie and further efforts from Charlie Read and Will Affleck, some of which were dazzling in their execution.
Westcliff tried hard to register further scores, and more than once came close, but the enterprising Bury defence held firm and left Westcliff reflecting on another hard day at the office.
TEAMS
WESTCLIFFE: Jones, Rea, Hogarth, Whiting, Tyler, Bannister, Morrant, Walker, Davison, Toms, Doyle, Scogings, Everitt, Dane, Smith
Replacements: Barrell, Lewis, Meakin, Miller, Linscer
BURY ST EDMUNDS: Affleck, Leeson, Attfield, Kharbouch, Martin, Drury-Hawkins, Christie, Robinson, McCartney, Cooper, Conquest, Stevenson, Strath, Meyers, Williams
Replacements: Kingdon, Hill, Browne, Bursey, Reed
REFEREE: Katherine Ritchie
ATTENDANCE: 193
Star man Will Attfield – Bury St Edmunds
