In an early-season top-of-the-table clash, a fantastic team performance helped second-placed Bury record victory over third-placed Hutton in North Lancashire Division Two.

The result moved the hosts to within four points of top spot, with the visitors slipping to fifth place.

Hutton took the lead in the opening minutes with a penalty in front of the posts.

This sparked Bury into gear and Adam Heath continued his impressive kicking record for the season, replying with three points of his own.

With Bury having the majority of possession, scrum-half Karl Simpson carried the ball just inside the opposition half and placed a perfectly-weighted grubbed kick behind the rushing defence, which then allowed top scorer Sam Ware to kick the ball past the opposition full-back which he was able to gather and race under the posts.

Heath converted the try with ease from right in front of the posts.

With Hutton clearly shaken, Bury continued to impress and from the back of a clinical line out, Heath played an inside ball to centre Ben Shedwick, who used his power, footwork and modesty to slice through the defence and cross over untouched for the try. The score was again converted.

Hutton were awarded a penalty a few minutes later to make the score 17-6 at the half-time break.

The second half proved to be very physical and frustrating at times, with two yellow cards given to both sides.

This only proved to make both sets of defences more determined with a number of turnovers coming from big hits from the outstanding Bury pack, with Ben Holland and Jordan Miller leading the line.

Bury’s next try came from excellent work by Declan Tyrone-Hampson, hitting a perfect line before distributing a ball that was moved through the hands of locks Wayne Elloway and James Swinburn, before reaching winger Elliot Naylor, who then showed his pace and try-scoring prowess in crossing the whitewash in the corner.

Hutton did manage to score a try of their own in the corner but the game finished 30-13 to Bury in what proved to be a resounding win for the Rams.

Bury return to action on Saturday week when they travel to Mossley Hill.