As early as the 14^th minute Bury demonstrated they were going to be, to say the least, dogged opponents. Alex Noot had already shown his pace with Albanian’s first try and Dan Watt had notched the simple conversion.

Bury took their first points from a Cameron Ritchie penalty and he reduced the deficit to just one point with another after 17 minutes play.

The first half droned on to its stop-start conclusion by which time the visitors had taken the lead when Michael Graham’s try was improved by Ritchie. Noot restored the Albanian advantage for Watt’s great touchline conversion but Connor O’Reilly was on the end of a neat overlap and Ritchie’s successful kick ended the half.

Charlie Watson put Jamie Townsend away after the restart and that and Watt’s kick gave OAs the lead for what proved to be the last time.

Perhaps trying too hard was the hosts’ undoing and an intercepted pass let Benn Leng in from fully half way in the final quarter. O’Reilly was on hand again to puncture an extended defence with five minutes to play and another Ritchie conversion ended the scoring.

Albanians will examine their defence after this defeat. There is no shortage of speed or strength in the squad but precision will have to improve before the trip to Barnes next week. Kickoff 15.00.

Team – Hughes, Townsend, Chamnaoui, Hamilton (c), Bond, Illston, Brown, West, Gliksten, Watt, Warne, Watson, Holdsworth, Chalcraft, Noot
Subs – Martinez, Reed, Stevens, O’Connor, Starling

Tries – Noot x2, Chalcraft
Conversions – Watt x3
Penalties – Watt x2

Brian Quinn,

Press & Publicity