Cricket: Brox bomb out but Bury avoid the drop

Knowing that a nine point win over newly-crowned champions Wythenshawe would ensure promotion, the Summerseat side looked to be in control at halfway but ultimately slipped to 134 all out and a 31-run defeat.

Brox elected to bowl and while the bowlers made a solid start, the quest for 10 Wythenshawe wickets floundered against the visitors determined top order.

In fact it was never really a factor until a remarkable 46th over of the innings, bowled by Tommy Read, which contained four wickets.

When skipper Richard Ernill claimed the final wicket in the following over, Brox headed for tea with promotion still in their own hands.

That completed a sensational comeback by the home side to peg back Wythenshawe from 142 for 2 with just six overs left.

Read's haul of 4 for 43 was just reward for his 17-over stint.

As usual, Simon Armsbey got Brox off to a flying start, his 29 including three big sixes.

Once he fell, however, the rest of the innings limped along with no-one able to record the big contribution that was required.

Two key wickets in two balls had Brox in desperate trouble and reliant on the solid batting of Trevor Morton to guide them.

His fall, with more than 70 runs still required, was possibly the final nail in Brox's coffin.

The late order grafted in determined fashion, but Wythenshawe's score of 165 was just too far away for Brox, who finish third in the table once again.

EXCELLENT bowling but poor batting resulted in defeat for Bury but favourable results elsewhere meant they avoided relegation to Division One.

Three wickets each for Sam Leach and Andy Metcalfe, a tight spell by Raza and some sharp work in the field gave the Sports Club side a great chance as second-placed Stretford were restricted to 134.

But in their reply Bury could only occupy the crease for 39 overs and fell 30 runs short of what was required.

Only a partnership between Simon Belston (27) and Mike Brawn (15) gave any hope.