Report: 1st team power past Royton to move into pole position for promotion

The 1st team inflicted a heavy 146 run victory over already-relegated Royton to climb into the final promotion place with just two games to go - setting up a huge league game next weekend away to local and promotion rivals Walshaw.

Bury won the toss and chose to bat first, with Jacob Ramsay opening the batting with Ben Gorton and Kervon Christmas and former Lancashire batsman Paul Horton opening bowling - an opening stand worth 67 was put on before the former was ran out for 35. Gorton and number 4 Mukhtar Nasir put on exactly 100 for the 3rd wicket in good time, with both batsmen passing 50. Dom Morris (44 from 32 balls) joined Nasir (79 from 91 balls) at the crease and with both batsmen scoring quickly, Bury accelerated to 246/6 from their 50 overs. 

Bury's defence got off to a perfect start with Paul Horton deflecting the ball onto his stumps off the bowling of Sam Nolan-Massey for a duck. When Indian overseas Ameya Bhaave (20) was well held by Jacob Ramsay at cover, Bury were well in control, with only 3 other batsman reaching double figures for the away side. Lee Halliwell (3/25) bowled Christmas and followed it with an lbw next ball, and Ahmed Matloob picked up his fourth 5-wicket haul of the season with 5/29 from 12 overs. Royton were bowled out for 100, to give Bury 6 points, and with results going their way elsewhere, they now sit 5 points ahead of Walshaw and 7 ahead of Bradshaw who both have 1 game in hand over Bury, (Scorecard)

The 2nd XI went down to defeat at Flixton, but will still secure their own promotion next week if they win at home to Westleigh, or if Swinton Moorside fail to win.