BURY Broncos’ second team opened their Division Four league campaign with a local derby against relegated Westhoughton Lions, narrowly losing 24-16 despite a poor display.

Westhoughton competed in the same division as the Broncos first team last year and from the off were a committed side who gave the A’s the tough game they expected.

They took the lead after just three minutes folowing some weak defence in the middle of the field made it all too easy for them.

The Broncos coped well with the early setback though, putting themselves on the board through Adam Brooks.

Jonathan Tindale saw a try disallowed but some strong running from Jonno Taylor and Paul Kynaston set the platform for another Broncos score when Mike Garside fed Liam Sixsmith to score. Andy Willis adding his first kick of the game to make it 10-6.

Bury appeared to have the game under control but as half time approached poor defending allowed the visitors to level the scores at 10-10 before taking a 14-10 lead into the break.

Westhoughton gave themselves an eight-point advantage with five minutes to play and despite Broncos captain Kynaston running through three tacklers to give Bury late on, the visitors ran in one more try to seal the win.