Lancashire North: Bury 3 Colne & Nelson 47

COLNE & Nelson were missing their regular No 8, fly half and lock, but still notched a convincing victory at basement boys Bury, who now only have a draw to their name in seven matches.

However, they took the lead within five minutes after the visitors' new signing Sam Boatwright was sin-binned after reacting angrily to a pole in the eye, the hosts landing a penalty.

But that was Bury's only score while Colne & Nelson were depleted, and the visitors dominated the forward exchanges when they were back to full-strength, stand-in fly half Matty Tindall soon scoring under the posts for Ryan Sumner to convert. 

Then open-side flanker Tom Beresford powered over to complete a fine move, with Sumner being unlucky with the conversion, leaving the half-time score at 12-3.

However, Colne & Nelson really went to town in the second half, with Kyle Hargreaves, returning at scrum half, going over from close range in the 55th minute for the reliable Sumner to convert.

Worsthorne Brewery man of the match Beresford ran through several would-be Bury tacklers for his second try, which Sumner again improved, and Colne continued their brand of open running rugby when Rob Davey scored, with Sumner's conversion making the score 33-3 

Centre Sumner, not wanting to be outdone, scored a try and converted it himself before again adding the extra two points to the Tindall try, created by excellent pack driving, which rounded things off.

Division Five North: Colne & Nelson II 5 Preston Grasshoppers V 14

COLNE & Nelson Seconds came up against a much bigger and heavier outfit when they took on Hoppers Fifths at Holt House.

It was 'men against boys', but the 'boys' gave a good account of themselves.

Colne started well in the first half but succumbed to pressure from the large Preston pack when they were pushed off the ball, resulting in a converted try.

The home side continued to play an open, expansive game but, again having been forced back, lost another scrum within their 22, resulting in the visitors adding another seven points.

This served as a wake-up call for Colne in the second half, but, despite constant pressure on the Preston line, they were unable to turn that into points.

Although the second half was dominated by Colne, it was not until the dying moments that Lance Jones crashed over for an unconverted try.

Colne welcomed two debutants - Ernistas and Seb, who were both playing their first games of rugby and enjoyed the experience.

The Premier Polytunnels man of the match was Colne’s No 8 Adrian Morris.

This weekend, Colne & Nelson Seconds are at Blackpool Firsts in what will be the last 3pm kick-off as clocks go back on Saturday night and kick-off times move forward to 2.15pm.

Colne & Nelson's frst team are at Tarleton.