Year Founded: 1925
Nickname: BSE/Saints
Ground: The Haberden (Capacity 3,000)
Current position: 10th (P5 W2 D0 L3 TB4 LB0 Pts 12)
Last season: Champions of National Two East (P26 W20 D1 L5 TB22 LB4 Pts 108)
Last five games Vs. Rams
Bury St Edmunds 3-19 Rams (January 2019)
Rams 47-21 Bury St Edmunds (September 2018)
Bury St Edmunds 27-24 Rams (April 2018)
Rams 29-17 Bury St Edmunds (December 2017)
Rams 25-21 Bury St Edmunds (February 2017)
Recent form:
A very decent start to life at Level Three, James Shanahan’s side picked up a second win with a come-from-behind 31-21 home success against Bishop’s Stortford last time out.
BSE went down 68-47 the week before in a wild game at Dings Crusaders, a loss which followed a 45-15 home setback versus Sale.
They previously grabbed another brilliant comeback 38-31 win at Cambridge in Round Two.
On their National One debut they went down 53-27 to London Scottish, but claimed one of four try bonus-points they’ve accrued this term.
Players to watch:
Ben Penfold – Fly-half has been a revelation since arriving from Cambridge ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, later becoming head coach in June 2024.
Top point-scorer in National Two East as he led his side to title glory, the stand-off collected 286 points in 26 appearances last term.
Has racked up more than 600 points, including nine tries, in 80 caps during past five seasons.
George Loose – Former England Under 18 and Leicester Tigers Academy centre has made a blistering start to life at Level Three, crossing five times in as many games.
Moved from boyhood club North Walsham to BSE in the summer of 2023, passing 50 caps despite missing last season.
Matt Hema – Another top-quality midfielder who swapped Championship side Cambridge for The Haberden before the start of last season.
A defensive rock, the New Zealand born ace grabbed 16 tries in a full house of 26 appearances.
Has followed up with two in five this term.
With the biggest pre-match lunch of the season confirmed, a busy day is expected at OBR. To book tickets at the discounted rate (£16.50 before midnight on Friday for adults), click here
