BURY followed up their first win of the Lancashire (North) season by earning a losing bonus point in a 10-5 defeat at fourth-placed Tarleton.

Tarleton started the brighter of the two teams and showed intent to run the ball on a heavy pitch with the wind against them.

Their winger finished off a well-worked moved early in the opening half to score an unconverted try.

And the home side quickly doubled their advantage with another well-executed try from their outstanding number seven.

The conversion was missed, leaving Bury 10-0 behind.

The visitors finally made headway into the opposition half from the restart, as second row Ed Watkins took a great catch and made serious inroads into Tarleton's defence.

Quick recycled ball from the Bury pack allowed Will Smith to distribute the ball through centres Luke Cleary and Joe Kelly to winger Alex English.

The chip on was fumbled by the Tarleton defence and gave Bury the five-metre scrum.

Powered by second-rows Mark Blain and Wayne Elloway, they drove towards the Tarleton try line and great communication between number eight, Oliver Frechini and scrum-half, Tom Smith, allowed for the ball to be grounded.

Bury also missed their conversion attempt to go into half time trailing 10-5.

The second half was marred by a serious leg injury to the Tarleton captain, who had to be lifted from the scene by the air ambulance.

The game was moved to an adjacent pitch but neither side could get going again and the match petered out as a contest.

It was another encouraging display by Bury, however, and they will take confidence into this Saturday's game at home to Hutton, kick off 2.15pm.