Didsbury Toc H 1st XV 36- Bury 13

Bury (H) – 10th September

For their first game of the season, Didsbury took on Bury, who are a much improved side from recent years. After a positive pre-season, there were several new faces in the squad, including back-rowers Brad Cliff and James Howarth, and fly-half Will Smith, himself a former Bury player. Toc H started well and scored three well-worked tries in the first 30 minutes of the game, through flanker Rory Andrews, who bagged himself a brace, and skipper Dave Hoare, who went over following good work in midfield from Enita Okodiko and Tom Makin. Bury responded with a penalty, to make it 19-3 at the break. However, this scoreline was perhaps a touch harsh on Bury, whose pack carried strongly all afternoon and caused Toc some problems in the tight.

The second half began with Didsbury’s customary twenty minute lull, during which some suspect defence allowed Bury to score two unconverted tries, taking the score to 18-13, with all to play for. Toc finally managed to shake themselves out of their torpor and responded with three further tries in the last quarter of the game, with two from full-back Rory Gibson and a further score from a rolling maul. The game finished at 36-13, a solid bonus point win to kick off the season.

Thanks to Bury for a tough game, they will roll some sides over this season and appear to have recruited well. James Howarth was the standout player for Didsbury and had a fine all-round game.