Bury Broncos started the 2014 season with a hard- fought derby victory over Bolton Mets on Saturday. The Broncos overcame an error-strewn display to come out on top, with Richard West leading the scoring with a hat-trick and conversion.

Matthew Fish crossed the line in the second half but the game was not secure until the final minute when Charlie Delaume crossed out wide to seal the victory for the home side.

Bolton took advantage of Bury’s errors and several penalties marched them up the field before they took the lead on nine minutes. Bury’s defence had been solid in the opening stages but they could do nothing to stop hooker Andy Millington barging his way over out wide for an early 4-0 lead to the visitors.

The Broncos were losing their composure and twice lost the ball on the first tackle. These errors and a penalty count of 7-2 in favour of the visitors meant the Blues were struggling to get into the game.

Bury finally brought themselves level two minutes before the interval. Some quick line speed in defence forced the Mets into a knock on in their own 20. The ball was worked to the left where hooker Anthony Garside threw a clever inside pass to West who crashed onto the ball and just managed to touch down in the corner.

West grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time. This time the second rower barged his way up the middle to cross under the sticks and give himself an easy conversion and Bury a six point lead at the break.

West completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the second half.

The visitors were back in the game on 48 minutes after a classy offload from Joe Harte put winger Mark Dorning over out wide to bring his side back within six points of the Broncos.

The momentum swung back Bury’s way just before the hour with Fish knocking through two defenders to touch down.

The missed conversions kept Bolton within touching distance and Harte took full advantage to cross under the posts following a quick tap penalty for a try converted by Ken Sackfield, to bring the visitors within four points and ensure a nervy final 10 minutes.

Winger Delaume finally sealed the points for Bury with a late dive over the line.

Bury Broncos A opened their season with an 11 try demolition of Bolton Mets A. Warren Bluer led the try scoring with a hat-trick whilst Andy Partington and Sean Kelly grabbed a brace apiece. Danny Holden, Joe Wilkinson, Tom Partington and Blake Roberts also crossed the line with Roberts adding seven kicks and Andy Carter chipping in with another three conversions.

The under-11s played their first game of the season, defeating Cadishead Rhinos by 34-22, while the u9s team travelled to Eccles to play two games, losing 5-1 and 4-1 to Eccles Roosters and Golborne Parkside respectively.