A timid second-half display left Orrell St James as the only remaining unbeaten side in North West Manchester League Division Three, with Bury slipping to second place.

After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, Bury struck twice to open up an 8-0 lead thanks to Blake Roberts kicking a penalty and a conversion after Rick West put Joe Galpin over.

West, however, quickly conceded a penalty following the restart, and continual mistakes from Bury saw almost constant pressure on their line – with knock-ons and further penalties putting pay to any hopes of a reprieve. Orrell were to capitalise with three tries to open up a 10-point lead before the visitors earned themselves a repeat set near the line; Bury worked the ball from left to right and back again before Mike Garside drove over to make it 18-14 at the break.

With the game between the top two on a knife edge, the stage was set for an exciting second half, only for the Broncos to turn in a performance more befitting of also rans than title contenders. As the Bury side began to tire Orrell ran in four more tries to win 52-14.

The second team and under-18s were both awarded wins after their opponents conceded their games, with no junior sides in action due to the Bank Holiday. The open age first team are at home to Burtonwood Bridge this week, kick off 2.30pm, with the seconds visiting Buxton Bulls.