Bury beat higher division opposition on Saturday to reach the second round of the North West League Trophy, dispatching Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’ 26-14.

With their National Conference League side not playing, club top points scorer Kiel Lancashire was one of a number of players to turn out in a strong visiting side.

Despite this, it was the Broncos who were in charge for most of the game with tries from Martin Wilcock, Warren Bluer and Charlie Delaume being accompanied by six kicks from Blake Roberts and drop goals from Wilcock and Shackcloth giving the home side a comfortable win.

The Broncos raced into a 11 point lead in the first 10 minutes. A big break from Wilcock’s quick tap after five minutes putting the visitors on the back foot before allowing Joe Galpin to release Bluer to score the first before Bluer made a break down the opposite side before Wilcock crashed over.

The Saints began to lose their discipline, allowing the Broncos to extend their advantage with Blake Roberts kicking two close range penalties in the middle of the field.

Hooker Callum Deakin sneaked through the Broncos defence with full back Ryan O’Donnell kicking to narrow the lead to 10 before the game reached half time as Neil Shackcloth kicked a drop goal to make it 17-6.

The second half saw Bury further extend their lead, with winger Charlie Delaume capitalising on a stumble and piece of poor judgment from the Oldham full back to score an easy try that was deserved for his effort in chasing what looked to be a lost cause. However, with Oldham going downhill in the second half they used the slope well to pull themselves right back into contention with Lancashire and Richard Adams both going over in quick succession. Broncos absorbed the pressure before adding two further kicks from Roberts and Wilcock’s drop goal to add a more deserved look to the score.