Tough weekend for the 1s but 2s progress to cup R2

The 1^st XI endured a tough fifth weekend of the season with two defeats, whilst the 2^nd XI progressed in the 2^nd XI Premier Cup with a 10 wicket win on Sunday.

On Saturday, the 1^st XI, with four changes made from last week’s game, were on the road at Flowery Field. The home side, batting first, were 82-5 before drinks, with wickets for both opening and both first-change bowlers. However, from there the tide turned, with former IPL cricketer, Shreevats Goswami, and former Bury man, Brad Edge, putting on 138 for the 6^th wicket in 22 overs. Edge was finally removed for 59, before Goswami reached his ton, despite having a few lives. Flowery Field finished their 50 overs on 264/9.

Bury lost early wickets, and never recovered. Mike Finan then took the game into his own hands in the 15^th over – 4 wickets in 4 balls, including the last 3 all bowled left Bury at 49-8 – eventually being bowled out for 77 inside 20 overs. (Scorecard)

On Sunday, another disappointing batting performance followed in the 1^st Round of the Derek Kay Cup at Monton. The top and middle order were all back in the shed inside 14 overs, batting first, at 40-7. Damario Goodman (33) led the recovery, supported by Ali Hassan, Patrick Potts and Mohammed Majid, as Bury pushed upto a more respectable 120 all out. Sam Nolan-Massey got both Monton openers early doors, but the third wicket partnership between Josh Lenihan and professional Dushan Vimukthi of 45 put Monton in charge. Tight bowling and regular wickets kept Bury’s faint hopes alive, but ultimately Monton would go on to take a 4 wicket win and progress to round 2. (Scorecard).

For the 2^nd XI, it was a home league game on Saturday against Edgworth. The visitors batted first and posted 195-7 from 45 overs – Majid Talib took 3/48 from his allocated 14 overs, with two wickets apiece for Farrukh Ali and Amir Hayat. With a number of batsmen missing, Bury struggled to put together a partnership after the opening stand of 42 between Zafri Zafardeen and Fraser Parr – finishing 122 all out. (Scorecard)

On Sunday, it was a much more routine day at the office with a 10 wicket win at home to a Stand side, who were also missing a number of players, in the 1^st Round of the 2^nd XI Cup. Each of Bury’s bowlers came out with very economical figures and wickets – Majid Talib (8-4-12-3), Matt Metcalfe (9-6-5-1), Amir Hayat (6-0-9-2) and Muhammad Bilal (4.5-2-5-4) – with Stand bowled out for 34 in 27.5 overs. Usama Akram (15*) and Scott Worswick (15*) saw Bury home in 7 overs to seal a 10 wicket win. (Scorecard)