BROOKSBOTTOMS kick-started their Manchester Association season a week late with a commanding display at Whalley Range.

Batting first, solid contributions at the top of the order laid a sound platform as Simon Armsbey and Neil Richardson posted a second successive half century stand for the opening wicket.

The ptich was slow and unresponsive, which meant caution was the order of the day but the pair ticked along sweetly.

Sadly, both fell short of deserved fifties as did young Oliver Hawley who maintained the momentum with a stylish 34.

The icing on the Brox cake came from an entertaining late flurry from Josh Pellowe and Gareth Williams, taking the Summerseat men to a respectable 192 for 5 from their 48 overs.

In reply, the home side were rocked by an early double strike from Pellowe, which effectively ended Range's interest in winning the match.

Serene progress thereafter was rudely interrupted by a four over burst from David Brown yielding five wickets.

From the wreckage of 52 for 7, and with more than 20 overs remaining, Range dug in tenaciously.

Pretty, it certainly wasn't, but it was mighty effective.

With the Brox pacemen tamed by the slow track only one further wicket was to fall leaving the visitors frustrated at missing the outright win but boosted by an efficient all-round performance.

BURY went down to a crushing Premier Division defeat at the hands of Monton and Weaste on Saturday.

The Sports Club side were disappointingly dismissed for 89 a total the visitors found easy to surpass, racking up 90 for the loss of only one wicket.