For the first time this season, Bury Blue Devils Under-18s made a good start to a National League North West Conference match.

In the first quarter Bury came from 3-0 down to lead 6-3.

Spurred on by fast break scores from Henry Powell, Sam Nolan Massey and Sulaiman Qadeer, Bury had hit an 8-0 run to lead 14-5. Toxteth rallied with a 6-0 run of their own but Blue Devils hung on to win the quarter 19-17. Toxteth stepped up a gear in the second quarter and employed a pressing defence which the Blue Devils failed to cope with.

The Bury boys were turned over numerous times and allowed the home team a 16-0 run, and after a solitary basket by Sulaiman Qadeer, the hosts went on another 8-0 run to win the quarter 29-8. The third quarter was more even with captain Henry Powell having his best offensive performance of the season scoring eight points in the period.

However, the Blue Devils could not quash the offensive shooting of Dennis, who scored 10 points and Excell’s rebounding netting eight points for Toxteth to win the period 22-13. In the last quarter, Blue Devils showed some resilience and were spurred on to reach their offensive target of 50 points with a final basket by Jack Hargreaves to win the quarter 10-8.

The Blue Devils’ next fixture is on Saturday, January 4 as they entertain Barrow Thorns. Tip off is at 12 noon at Holy Cross College.