Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC makes a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
The Suffolk club had done the double over OAs last year but there was never likely to be a repeat of those contests as the home team won six tries to three against the much larger visitors.
Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC makes a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
But the smaller pack fared better than expected in the tight elements of the match and that will only breed confidence for the rest of the National Two South season.
Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC looks to convert in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
The turnovers and possession gained was well used throughout the afternoon and the defence was mostly solid, with gritty tackling in all departments keeping Bury's scoring opportunities to a minimum.
Tom Bednall of Old Albanian RFC breaks a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
But it was in broken play where Albanian were strongest and the back-row took the lion's share of the plaudits here.
Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC looks to convert in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Conor Gracey, Kay Minkiewicz and rampaging Oliver Stonham were a constant menace to the Suffolk men.
Dan Watt of Old Albanian RFC scores after Ned WarneÕs offload in the tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Outside the front eight, scrum-half Morgan Thompson continued to efficiently feed fly-half Joe Butler. That in turn allowed centres Nico Defeo and Dan Watt more than enough time and space to pressure the Bury defence all day.
Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC looks to offload in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
There is speed and strength in this squad and this result can only breed confidence.
Conor Gracey of Old Albanian RFC carries the ball forward in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Aaron Martinez crossed in the 12th minute and he was followed by Ned Warne and Butler before the half hour.
Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC restarts the game in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Thompson ended a sparkling break and earned the bonus point before the interval and Defeo and Watt added two tries in the second period.
Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC is tackled in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Watt also helped himself to four conversions for a personal tally of 13 points.
Old Albanian RFC celebrate Nico DefeoÕs try in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
For Bury Ben Leng's first half effort was added to by Jack Harvey and Seb Dusi, Max Machin added the extras to two of them.
Old Albanian RFC celebrate Nico DefeoÕs try in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Albanian head coach James Buckland was delighted with his charges' performance especially since there are improvements to be made before the journey to Leicester Lions next week.
Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC touches down to score in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
"It looked like a good one to play in," he mused afterwards.
Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC celebrates in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Ollie Stonham of Old Albanian RFC looks to progress in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC goes into a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC looks to break the line in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC heads for the line in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Alex Ricci of Old Albanian RFC holds on in the tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Alex Ricci of Old Albanian RFC with ball in hand in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC tries to break through in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Conor Gracey and Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC carries the ball forward in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Kay Minkiewicz and Ashley Illston of Old Albanian RFC make a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Jamie Townsend (c) of Old Albanian RFC in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Josh Taylor and Tim Bond of Old Albanian RFC make a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Joe Butler and Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC combine in defence in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Dan Watt of Old Albanian RFC chases a loose ball in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC tackles an opponent in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Ollie Stonham of Old Albanian RFC makes a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Conor Gracey of Old Albanian RFC tackles in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
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