BURY St Edmunds, sponsored by Frames Conservatories Direct, joined Diss as the only unbeaten team in London Division Two North on Saturday, following a gutsy performance against the promotion favourites.

The hosts drew first blood following a well-taken penalty from full-back Harry Sperling.

However, Staines started to use their huge pack to good effect and eventually got the breakthrough they deserved when their speedy winger touched down in the corner for an unconverted try to take a 5-3 lead.

The game was now concentrated in midfield and there was some excellent play from both teams before Bury added to their total.

Following a huge tackle from Bury Colt Tim Mann, Bury spread the ball wide to the right. As the visiting defence were committed, scrum-half Tom Chennell swiftly moved the ball left where Ashley Parkes went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Bury were dealt a blow when team captain and second-row Tim Young went off with a damaged shoulder, but Tyler Smart moved into the second-row to partner 17-year-old Josh Walker in the engine room.

Soon after, the Staines full-back broke through. With only five yards left to the line, Parkes put in a telling tackle before getting to his feet to turn the ball over. From the ensuing penalty, Bury cleared their lines.

The second half kicked off with Staines' surging forwards showing renewed enthusiasm, but Bury had an even greater enthusiasm and will to win.

The game went from end-to-end but the Staines penalty count in midfield was high due to not staying on their feet at the ruck. Bury made good use of the penalties, although the Staines defence held firm.

From a line-out, a driving maul led to the Staines' prop going over for a well-taken try, ably-converted.

Bury continued to defend admirably and a loose ball was collected by Fred West, who beat one defender then committed another. He slipped the ball to Tim Mann and he went over under the posts. Harry Sperling stepped up to get the important conversion to level at 15-15.

Both sides worked hard in a bid to claim the winning score. Staines came close on two occasions, but more stout defending from Geatches, Birrell and Dodunski kept them at bay.

From a 22 drop out, Bury were able to move the ball upfield where they were awarded a scrum. The Staines open side held Chennell back to stop him going for the loose ball and a composed Sperling slotted the resulting penalty for Bury to take the lead 18-15.

Staines made a final effort, but Parkes popped up again to turn over a ball which Bury astutely kicked into touch for the final whistle to blow.

Bury St Edmunds U-17s 17, Wymondham U-17s 5

This was an Eastern Counties Cup game and the first of four pool matches to be played.

The teams were evenly matched before Nathan Offord, playing out of position at full-back for Bury, received the ball on the wing and powered into the corner for the first try of the match.

Bury pinned Wymondham in their own half and it was against the run of play, that they were awarded a penalty five metres from the Bury try-line, but the hosts defended well.

However, Wymondham claimed a converted try for a 7-5 half-time lead.

After the break, Bury introduced two new players. One of these, Ryan Grimwood, took advantage of a mistake to dive and touch the ball down to regain the lead for the hosts.

Bury added a further try when Marcus Price touched down after some good backs play. The same player converted to give Bury a 17-5 lead.

In the final minutes, Bury were put under pressure but held solid.

Bury St Edmunds U-14sB 12, Wymondham B 0

The visitors started strongly, driving Bury back in the set piece and maintaining the majority of the possession.

Bury defended well and did not allow the visitors time or opportunity to breach their defence.

In the second half Bury, led by Joe Tottie at centre and Harry Couture and Josh Hollingworth from the scrum, fought back.

Joe Tottie breached the visitors' defence following an excellent run and Ollie Lawson slotted the conversion.

Josh Hollingworth broke free to score in the corner and, as the visitors tired, Bury were unlucky not to score again with breakaways by Harry Couture and Joe MacDonald not rewarded.

Bury St Edmunds U-14sA 12, Wymondham A 5

Despite the deteriorating conditions due to torrential rain, both teams tried to keep the ball alive.

Following a penalty 15m out, Trevor Clough took the ball through an unprepared defensive line before crashing over. Jamie Cooke kicked an excellent conversion to give Bury a 7-0 half-time lead.

Despite being under increasing pressure at the set piece by the strong Wymondham forwards, Bury extended their lead through an excellent backs move which lead to Matt Hunt touching down for the second try.

Wymondham never gave up and got on the scoresheet after their winger out ran the Bury defence to score in the corner.

Despite some great attacks by Bury, Wymondham's defence held firm.