BURY travelled to second-placed Monton and Weaste on Saturday in a dress rehearsal for tomorrow's HC Smith Cup Final.

This coming weekend is possibly the biggest of the season as Bury entertain Whalley Range on Saturday and then travel to Wythenshawe Cricket Club on Sunday for the cup final.

Bury are in confident mood having beaten Monton and Weaste once already this season and coming close to another victory over them last Saturday.

Bury came away the happier team on Saturday, for even though they didn't win, they were only thwarted by the weather as rain and bad light brought a premature end to proceedings with Bury in a strong position.

After being asked to bat, Bury reached 196 for eight from their 45 overs, thanks to a solid start from Riaz and Brawn which was continued by John Shaw, who despite being just 15-years-old, scored a composed 55. He was ably supported by Thew and Metcalfe.

When Monton replied they were cruising at 112 for one before a dramatic collapse saw them crash to 133 for seven before the game ended due to bad light with 11 overs left.

The pick of the Bury bowlers was the ever-reliable, but also devastating Dave Leach, whose four wickets for 28 runs almost saw Bury to a victory they richly deserved.

In the end Bury had to settle for 14 points, whilst restricting their hosts to just five points.

MONTON & WEASTE v BURY

BURY

Q Riaz b Stanyard...48

M Brawn c Williams b Hammond...35

T Morton b Stanyard...3

S Dublin c Saeed b Hammond...0

L Irish b Hammond...0

J Shaw b Stanyard...55

I Thew c Hammond b Kerfoot...19

A Metcalfe b Stanyard...12

D Leach not out...9

J Wiggans not out...5

Extras...10

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Total (for 8) 196

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45 overs

Hammond 19-2-63-3; Horsford 7-0-36-0; Stanyard 9-4-28-4; Din 6-0-31-0; Kerfoot 4-0-33-1.

MONTON and WEASTE

N Din c Thew b Leach...68

R Williams b Irish...10

J Maddox c Metcalfe b Dublin...27

M Saeed c Riaz b Irish...4

S Horsford b Leach...8

G Thomas st Allen b Leach...3

P Stanyard not out...3

S Kerby c Allen b Leach...0

Extras...10

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Total (for 7) 133

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29.1 overs

Irish 11-0-45-2; Wiggans 2-0-19-0; Metcalfe 5-0-24-0; Leach 7.1-0-28-4; Dublin 4-1-16-1.