BURY Broncos suffered a 24-10 defeat to Manchester Rangers in their first match of the new season.

The Bury side agreed to an unexpected trip to Belle View Stadium because of the waterlogged pitch at the Regional Arena.

And the Broncos arguably shaded the early arm wrestle as both sides completed sets despite the driving rain.

However, Bury conceded first after back-to-back penalties gave Rangers field position and they took full advantage when prop Rubin Holland barged over, the kick making it 6-0.

Holland’s second try, scored out wide when the Bury defence was pulled in at a scrum, took the match to 12-0.

The Broncos hit back and halved the deficit when Billy Glossop charged down a kick and, under pressure from Jonno Taylor, the Rangers full-back spilled the ball, allowing Danny Kelly to scoop it up and dive over. Harry Coleman added two points with the boot.

Shortly before half time, after debutant Simon Brown was held up over the line, Rangers broke downfield and Max Horsfall’s try made it 16-6.

Connor Winfield scored a try for Manchester early in the second half and, after small scuffles led to a player from each team being sent to the sin bin, the extra space on the field suited the home side.

Tyrone Chipchase went over to stretch the home team’s lead to three converted tries and though the Broncos finished the stronger team, a great kick by Coleman – which fell into the arms of winger Neil Shackcloth for his first try on returning to the club – meant there was no time for Bury to stage a comeback.