In a tough encounter for the home side Bury played Ashton, a team in a league above their own. The quarter-final of the “Alan Stone Lancashire Bowl” was to provide a disappointing result for the home side in a hard fought battle that ended 27-14 in favour of the visitors.

Bury opened the scoring with a well worked move through the back line, following a double-loop move, which resulted in a try for speedster Sam Ware. The try was ably converted from a difficult position by fly-half Matthew Hindley. Ashton replied with a catch and drive from an attacking lineout on 13 minutes and repeated the move 10 minutes later.

In the second half Ashton continued to drive towards the Bury line, continuing as they had finished the first half with two more tries. Bury, now 27-7 down, did not to give up and in the 70th minute a great passing move involving forwards and backs released winger Ware for his second try of the game, which was converted with ease by James Sedman.