BURY lost a thriller at Liverpool University last weekend when they went down 51-39 in South Lancs and Cheshire Division Three North.

It was always going to be a tough test for Bury against a young side who are attack-minded on home soil.

But the game started well for the Rams who played their way into the home side's half early on through a very strategic game.

Tom Smith kicked early points to get them on the board and when skipper Alan Dobson crashed over to open the try scoring it looked like it would be a positive afternoon for the travelling Bury side.

Bury extended their lead with a further try, this time some good individual work from leading try scorer Dan Palmieri to finish off the move.

But the home side were not about to give up and quickly started to pressure the Bury defence.

And when Alex English was given 10 minutes in the sin bin for a raft of team penalties, the University outfit began to run in some tries of their own.

At the changeover, the home side held the lead but a spirited Bury just would not go away.

They added tries of their own through Aaron Jones – the back-rower having an excellent season.

But the home side proved just too strong in the end, and came out on top.

This was no advert for defensive rugby but attacking-wise both sides looked dangerous throughout.

Bury looked more threatening when they played to their systems, something they will have to look at as they go into their final game against Clitheroe in two weeks' time.

A five-point win should secure a top-four spot if results go their way.