BURY Broncos moved top after recording their third straight victory in Division Two of the North West Men’s Rugby League.

They won 17-0 at previously unbeaten Rochdale Mayfield A in a match marred by a succession of penalties , sin-bins and difficult conditions.

A first-half try from Adam Grundy was followed up by further scores from Martin Wilcock and Tyler Nolan after the break sealed the win, while Harry Coleman added a conversion and drop goal and Blake Roberts added the extras following the third try.

Coach Dave Kelly said: “This was a good win in poor conditions, the only downside being conceding 17 penalties which kept Mayfield in the game, and a dreadful completion rate of under 50 per cent.

“However, this can only improve and goes to show that there are plenty more wins to come this season when the performance level picks up.

“Much more important was the team’s heart and determination to defend their line and come away with a hard-earned win.”

Broncos began well, pressing the Mayfield line but over eagerness saw them lose the ball in promising positions.

Three back-to-back penalties helped Rochdale up the pitch but the Broncos defence remained solid.

Momentum turned when the referee penalised the home side with a sin-bin for a late hit on the kicker and for the first time the Broncos completed a set in Mayfield’s half.

Strong running from the forwards saw Jonno Taylor held up just short of the line, but quick thinking from the outstanding Grundy saw him dart over from short range and the try was converted by Coleman, who went on to add a drop goal in the last seconds of the half.

Danny Kelly came on at scrum half due to injury, while Eddy Rainford was forced off with a cut above his eye.

The Broncos stuck to the task manfully and it took 20 minutes of pressure and a second sin-bin for the home side before the breakthrough came. It looked like for Grundy had scored a second try only for it to be ruled out before Wilcock ran on to an inside ball from Coleman and beat three men on his way over the line.

Another Mayfield sin-bin was enforced by the referee, although he was this time joined by Coleman to make the last 10 minutes 12-a-side.

Nolan took advantage of the extra space to score under the posts with Roberts making the final kick to seal the game.