An evenly balanced start with both sides probing the defences, before Havant took a converted scoring opportunity close to the line (Cam Boa). This looked like it would be a 'nip and tuck' type affair, with no significant dominance apparent other than perhaps some real quality highlighted in the Bury backs early on, demonstrating their clever ball skills around the park (0-7).
BSE kicked a penalty opportunity (3-7) got bring the competition back into parity. A subsequent Yellow Card to Havant (Ben Holt not 10 yards after another penalty) completely shifted the balance and Bury began exposing/exploiting the gaps in our defence, effectively isolating the defensive edge, and stretching us beyond our capacity while attacking with relative ease (10-7).
With the limited Havant ball and reduced level of intensity ... and now a man down, we struggled to generate any meaningful possession. Meanwhile Bury kicked into a gear that we struggled to handle and it looked like it was going to be a very long afternoon as they began to mount up the scoring opportunities. Worried Havant faces around the ground were wondering just how bad this might become, as the Bury Backs were opening up holes to create opportunities and seemingly scoring with relative ease - a sizeable scoreline was already on the board (36-7).
Finally some luck(?) - a Yellow card to BSE for a High shot - and with less of them on the park and a bit of extra space, Havant could start to regain some composure before generating some meaningful Phase play, subsequently regaining field position and ultimately scoring out wide off a driving maul (Steve Jenkinson) (36-12) - Nevertheless Bury still finished the half in the ascendency with a well-struck penalty to keep the pressure on (39-12).

Halftime: Bury St Edmunds 39 HRFC 12

All change! Fresh legs on and Havant came out early for the next half with a complete Front-row change, including the return of Sean Shephard into the mix. This game had 'obviously' already gone - but this was damage control and was going to need a complete reset of the earlier mindset (back to basics) and a more proactive response in order to handle Bury and keep the score at a respectable level. The Second half got underway and the early initial attacking response from Bury looked like they had started where they had left off ..and it was going to be 'more of the same' for the next 40 mins.... happily from a Havant perspective, things appeared to be different, even the floodlights seemed brighter - our defence remained solid, we were more resilient at the breakdown, we were competing 50/50 balls and indeed able to recover the ball, and by applying the basics we subsequently regained field position, eventually sliding into our more normal rhythm that would allow us to play our game.
Havant now playing seemingly with more intensity and pace... and confidence (..there was nothing to lose!), we were generating a much quicker speed of recycle ball and Bury were clearly struggling to establish their normal steady defensive set. We looked to be holding onto possession better and our offload inter-play was beginning to make real impact. Not withstanding the scoreline - This was definitely looked better...maybe there was a credible chance of getting over the line a few more times ...and possibly (just a hope!) getting a bonus point for our (now improved) efforts.
Finally the newly derived pressure did pay off and Havant scored a well earned try (Ross Parkin) with Joel K converting (39-19). Obviously still not a good scoreline, but just nice for the travelling support that the game wasn't all one sided!
Play restarted and we came again - rebuilding our field position and then establishing some solid phase play to upset the defence. Just approaching 57' and we had compressed them nicely, generating enough space on the edge for Dylan Read to collect the wide pass and sprint over. Believe it or not that was the 4 Try Bonus Point in the bag! (39-24). Bury were looking a little shell-shocked that we hadn't died away ...and you could see our lads were starting to believe in themselves.
Bury Restart and again our momentum continued to build as we generated more space on the edge to attack allowing Jack Phillips yo go over in the corner after a relatively straight forward cross-field passing move. The losing bonus point was now a credible 'possibility' (39-29) and it was clear today's bench were having a significant impact - the front-row carrying well, while the likes of James Wise was able to run hard at the opposition and punching 'Tuilangii' sized holes in the now unsettled Bury defence.
Notwithstanding our resurgence ...the game was not all one way traffic - and BSE were still posing a significant threat whenever their backs collected our loose kicks - subsequently they were able to generate field position and looked threatening, finally winning an opportunity for a penalty which their very steady kicker now slotted with relative ease - consequently making the Losing bonus point more difficult to secure again (42-29).
Havant hopes hadn't died ...but memories of the first half Rout were still foremost in our minds. Continued steady pressure by Havant and Bury collected another Yellow Card for a High Shot - and once again the relative balance of attack shifted in Havant's favour. 66' - Havant score another try, but we miss the conversion (42-34) ... we are not there for the losing bonus point yet.
BSE backs are clearly still in good shape, threatening any loose ball in broken play and once again they ship the ball wide to the attack the edge, finding a way through/round our defence to score a well-earned try in the bottom corner. At this point the BSE crowd settled back in the relative comfort that their 'Bury Boys' are back in control as the fly Half slots a great conversion (49-34)
So after all this.... fatigue and reality normally kicks in ....but it seemed no one was lying down and there was still plenty of Havant Dog left. Patient phase play and quick recycling and we scored off an easy passing move in the far corner - rebuilding towards that losing bonus point (49-41) - not there yet ...but we are now close and the momentum has definitely shifted again. Straight back after the restart and we were able to work the ball towards the corner, whereupon we score again! This is better - Losing Bonus Point is now definitely an option (49-46). Bury players behind the goal-line are querying the score with the TJ and noting that Havant are now in with a chance of the losing bonus point. We miss the conversion - but Bury know the momentum is with us.
...So at this point most Havant supporters are cheering a miraculous recovery to secure 2 bonus points away from home ...and would have probably left this end of darkest Suffolk content that it hadn't been a wasted journey....But our lads still weren't done.
.. Another restart, more phase play and another Bury Yellow on the 80', offering a penalty in their 22 out wide. Game on! Having already secured 2 bonus points and clearly riding a wave of game momentum - we now had more players in hand on the pitch... and the clock was running down - we go to the corner!
Bury looked stunned - whereupon we simply execute a flawless lineout (in hindsight, a somewhat brave call, considering our lineout had been a bit 'hit and miss' most of the afternoon!) and so we begin a standard 'catch and drive' towards the line - but in this case Bury countered and there was nothing was doing - so the ball is recycled into the backs - letting the big men reposition themselves ready to carry off the next phase. We are going for it. Sure enough our midfield carry well and set up the next breakdown, we retain possession and after a number of additional heavy carries, Luka Shplka heads over the line with a little help from his friends, to put the icing on the cake! The final conversion goes over W49-53 and the clock is dead and that's a 5 point league win. #wouldvethought
Definitely a game of two Halves and 5 well-earned league points - not a bad return for such a long drive up here

Full Time: Bury 49 HRFC 53

Will Knight's thoughts after the game
"Wow what a game! We were dead and buried at half-time. We shipped 5 tries in a ten minute period with Holty off the pitch and they had looked really good. But I have learned never to write off this squad. The talk at half-time from the leaders in the squad was honest (brutal), then there was a clear strategy put together to address what had been going wrong. We set ourselves some targets and went back out to deliver. The second half was a phenomenal achievement and shows the squad what they are capable of.

report from the sidelines