BURY'S final pre-season challenge match completed a successful trio of warm up sessions with a convincing 98-80 victory over a strong Birmingham line-up, that provided tougher opposition than the two previous matches with Sandwell.

The Penry Avenue circuit held no fears for a determined Bury line-up, headed by skipper Neil Howarth who dropped only one point to an opponent in his five rides. Fred Rothwell and Robert Pearce gave good "Top End" performances, dropping only two and three points respectively. The rest backed up well in an overall team effort that augers well for the long season ahead.

Neil Howarth 18+1, Fred Rothwell 1+1, Robert Pearce 16+1, Scott Jarman 13+2, Steve Mann 11, Dave O'Callaghan 10+3, John Whiting 8, Tom Doyle 5+1.

There is no racing over Easter, but Bury open their league campaign the following Sunday, April 7 with Midland and North Regional fixtures, when Heckmondwike come to Goshen starting at 2pm.