INJURIES and work commitments left Bury Broncos low on numbers at the weekend, forcing four of the club’s committee and coaching staff to fill gaps in the first team.

But despite putting in an understandably disjointed display they ground out a 39-24 victory at home to Crosfields A to progress to the quarter-finals of the North West Men’s League Trophy.

The visitors took the lead after 11 minutes when some poor defending allowed them to score under the posts.

Broncos hit back almost immediately when Harry Coleman dummied his way over for a well-taken try, which he converted to level the scores.

The next try was a great solo effort from Kiwi debutant Brad Cave, who stepped his way past several defenders before Coleman kicked and followed it up with another try to make it 16-6.

However, poor defence allowed the Crosfields full-back to score a converted try before unforced errors gave the visitors the ball in their half and they took advantage to score out wide and claim a two-point lead by half time.

The break did Broncos good, with Jonno Taylor crashing over at the start of the second half, then Warren Bluer finished well in the corner to put Bury back in control.

Cave produced another great individual try to extend Broncos’ advantage to 34-18 and Bluer added his second following a 50-yard break to give Bury a 20-point cushion.

Crosfields scored what proved to be a consolation try before Coleman rounded off the scoring with a drop goal.

Coach Dave Kelly said: “I thought four players were outstanding – the two props (Chris) Sloan and (Jonno) Taylor and the two halves Harry Coleman, who was playing out of position, and newcomer Brad Cave, who will be a huge asset when he settles into the team.

“As ever, though, it was a team win, the fourth in four games.”

Bury A were knocked out of the North West Men’s League Shield following a 66-6 defeat at Orrell St James.

The side only had 15 players available, four of whom were making their first appearances of the season, so Bury were always facing an uphill task.

Broncos had to use their only two substitutes, Rob Gehlhaar and Ryan Lewis, after 10 minutes when David Donnelly was concussed in a tackle that also left him with broken fingers and Mark Brocklehurst tore his bicep and pectoral muscle in a challenge.

Matthew Fish briefly levelled the score in the first half but they went into the break 24-6 down and tired in the second period.