AT last the sun shone and a full day's cricket was in prospect, but this did not change Bury's fortunes.

The poor start to the season continued and at the end of the day they lost to Swinton Moorside by seven wickets.

Without a win yet this season with what, on paper, is a good team, is beyond comprehension.

The professional, Rizwan Saeed, has yet to enjoy warm weather and, as a result, is having to keep fit by kind courtesy of Silvers gym.

On the field he is not getting the support he needs and is having to fight a lone battle.

Bury won the toss and elected to bat and were soon in trouble, losing their first two wickets for 10 runs, so within 10 minutes Saeed was at the wicket.

He and Ilyas Mugale settled down and took the score to 51 before Mugale was caught for nine.

Another quick wicket fell before Trevor Morton stayed with Saeed and took the score to 84.

Wickets continued to fall until Saeed was the last man out to a doubtful lbw decision, the fourth of the innings.

For the visitors, Baig was the outstanding bowler, taking five for 67.

In response, Saeed took the early wicket of Roberts, but then Bennett and Hooker took the score to 65 before the latter was bowled by Saeed for 30.

Wiggans claimed a further wicket before Herraran and Bennett, with a fine unbeaten 71, saw the vistors home with plenty of overs to spare.

Now almost halfway through the season and still without a win, Bury have a critical game this weekend at Winton, who are equal on points with them.

Although it is still early in the season, Bury would seem to be heading for a relegation battle if they don't turn their fortunes around soon.

BURY v SWINTON MOORSIDE

Bury

Q Riaz c Bennett b Baig...9

M I Mugale c Roberts b Baig...9

J Morris lbw Hussain...0

R Saeed lbw Hussain...71

J Wiggans c Harding b Baig...2

T Morton c Herraran b Hunt...11

I Thew b Hunt...0

A Raza lbw Hunt...0

S Belston lbw Baig...10

D Leach c Herraran b Baig...0

P Allen not out...2

Extras...18

Total (39.3 overs)...132

A Hussain 14.3-5-25-2; S Baig 19-3-67-5; C Hunt 7-0-26-3.

Swinton Moorside

A Bennett not out...71

G Roberts lbw Saeed...0

J Hooker b Saeed...30

G Holmes b Wiggans...6

J Herreran not out...12

Extras...14

Total (for 3, 38.5 overs)...133

R Saeed 13-2-42-2; M I Mugale 6-2-17-0; S Belston 3-0-13-0; J Wiggans 7-0-24-1; D Leach 6.5-1-25-0; Q Riaz 3-1-5-0.