The Bulldogs Reserves travelled to League Champions, Clacton Cannons, in the Suffolk Division 2 Playoffs looking for an upset, and a chance to move into the playoff finals against Ipswich Saxons.
Cannons found their range early in the tie, notching a trio of threes while Bury only managed one field goal in the opening five minutes from David Wise, however, with Jay Trye, Sam Howard and Ash Read fuelling a 6-3 run to close the quarter, the Bulldogs only trailed 13-10.
With Jim Walker and Jay Trye notching scores to start the second quarter, the Bulldogs took their first lead of the game, however, Cannons went on an 11-2 run to reclaim the lead. A quick timeout saw the Bulldogs establish a more defensive identity, with Johnny Ward harassing the home ball-handlers into turnovers, however, Cannons continued to leave a two possession cushion, leading at the half 31-26.
The third quarter was a back-and forth affair, as Cannons owned the first three minutes, building their lead out to thirteen points before the Suffolk side rallied - with Wise, Trye and Read cutting the lead to seven. However, Cannons' defence owned the final three minutes of the quarter, as they held Bulldogs without a field goal in a 12-1 run to go into the final frame up 39-54.
Bury came into the final quarter with renewed energy, and held their hosts to just one field goal in the first five minutes of the quarter, however, the Suffolk side missed a number of opportunities to cut into the lead and make a game of it both at the line and around the basket, as Cannons closed-out the game strongly to win 68-48 and end the Reserve side's season.
Ash Read was named Player of the Game for the Bulldogs as he tallied fifteen points to lead the side. David Wise (14) and Jay Trye (10) were the other leading scorers.
After the game Coach Arron MacDonald had this to say "To come into this game without Oli Cowling, Andy Binns and Neil Thompson - who've been key for us this season - we knew we were going to be up against it against a Cannons side who are unbeaten in the league at home, but we can have no complaints. We lost by twenty having missed about thirty lay-ups and shot 15/30 at the foul line - we had our worst offensive night of the season at the worst possible time. That being said, I'm really proud of the season these guys have had, and what they've achieved as a team. Over two years, we've lost some of the top scorers in this side and have gone from the bottom of the division, scratching for a win, to a playoff team - and I think that's something we can continue to build on."
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