Seconds extend their lead at the top of the table with 6 point win at Alexandra Park

The 2^nd XI were in action away at Alexandra Park up against Friends United. After being asked to bowl first, Bury took regular early wickets with opening bowler Ali Hassan taking 3 within the first 10 overs. From 57-7, there was a counter attack of sorts, with an 8^th wicket partnership of 33. Patrick Potts returned to the attack to round off the innings quickly, the final 3 wickets falling for 12 runs with Friends United all out for 102. With light rain falling throughout most of the game, it was Potts who was sent in to open the batting with Mumtaz Mirza in a bid to keep the run chase as short as possible. Mirza was caught for a run-a-ball 22 with the score already upto 51 in the 8^th over, and Potts’ attack ended the game after 15 overs, finishing with 75* from 47 balls, including 12 fours and 2 sixes. A nine wicket win for Bury to seal six points, on a day where most other games in the division were affected by rain, stretching the lead at the top of Division 3W to 2 points. (Scorecard)

Meanwhile at Radcliffe Road, Brooksbottom had won the toss and elected to bat first. Rain stopped play during the 6^th over, after Mohammed Majid had taken two wickets to leave the score 21-2. The game was reduced to 38 overs per side, and Mukhtar Nasir strook immediately after the restart, with 2 wickets in the first full over after the delay, with the wickets of Michael Rawlins and Ash Gowers. However, from 25-4, Mohsan Iqbal and Dom Gowers put on 104 for the next wicket, with Iqbal doing most of the scoring at a strike rate that was around the 100 mark throughout the entire innings. He passed 100, eventually being one of four late victims of D’Angelo Springer (4/30). Despite only 3 batsmen making it to double figures, Brooksbottom made 205 all out in the 38^th and final over.

Ammar Baig kept Bury up with the required rate early on, with 54 from 59 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. However, wickets kept stalling the momentum of the run chase, and by the 26^th over, Bury had slipped to 128-7. Gary Garner and Usama Akram (28*) kept chances alive, but when two more rain delays reduced the target and the overs, hands were eventually shaken with Brooksbottom coming out on top with Bury behind the DLS Par Score. (Scorecard)

On Sunday, rain prevented any play for the 3^rd XI in their scheduled league game away at Littleborough Lakeside.