Deputy pro bowler Usmeh Karumaratne put in a man-of-the-match display on Saturday taking five wickets as Simon Belston’s Bury continued to set the pace at the top of the Bolton Association by chalking up an impressive win at Adlington.

The home side batted first and were all out for 112 with Tom Foster top-scorer on 25 as Sri Lanka’s Karumaratne took 5-24.

In reply, Bury’s openers Mumtaz Mirna (32) and Tash Khan (24) layed the foundations before Simon Belston chipped in with 31 as the visitors easily totalled 116-3 to claim a seven-wicket victory.

Captain Belston said: “We lost the toss and they put themselves in but we weren’t too disheartened about that as we ended up bowling them out for 112.

“We were always quite comfortable with the turn around and in the second half we got out there, got the game won and took home maximum points.

“We got off to a cracking start. We hit a quick-fire 40 in the first eight to 10 overs so when I came in at number three the game was dead and buried to be honest. Although I was disappointed to be bowled out for 31 so close to the target as we only needed three or four runs to win by that point.”

Belston was pleased with his side’s performance and was particularly impressed with sub pro Karumaratne, who took out both of Adlington’s danger men in Majid Majeed (17) and last year’s professional Foster.

“The boys are playing some good cricket at the moment. We have a good fielding unit, good bowling unit and we are managing to post good totals.

“Karumaratne played really well and picked up the necessary wickets. He bowled 14 overs and he had good line and length,” he said.

Alongside Flixton and Swinton Moorside, Bury are the early pace setters in the league this season, but Belston is refusing to get too carried away with his side’s title credentials despite three wins out of three.

He said: “It’s early season. We got off to a flyer last year. “There are some very strong sides in the league this year with the added teams of Swinton Moorside, Winton, Lostock and Worsley, so it’s going to be tough.

“We beat last year’s champions Atherton in the first game, then Standish, who are also a good side and a tough side to beat away from home.

“We are definitely up there with them and going in the right direction with three wins out of three, so as a club we’re very happy.”

Bury host local rivals Elton in the league on Saturday before visiting newcomers Lostock in the Cross Cup on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Stephen Lang was the hero for Flixton as his 69 played a key role in helping them to a four-wicket win at Walshaw.

The home side batted first, reaching 248-9 with Nick Murphy hitting 73 and Gavin Nicholl out one run short of his half century.

Adrian Holmes took 4-38 for Flixton and he was also 29 not out in their reply. Luke Perry scored 57 and Shay Parkinson added 38.

Darren Foy was the leading bowler Walshaw bowler with 3-39.

Elton picked up their second win of the season beating Winton by 37 runs.

Batting first, Elton’s highlights included Mark Goddard’s 75 and Alastair Lowe’s 58 as they set a target of 225-7. Dave Marchment took 5-76.

Australian batsman Justin Kramersh hit a half century in reply while Brett Cox chipped in with 35, but they could not stop Winton being skittled out for 193. Elton’s Chris Read took 5-67.

Results: Daisy Hill 154 Golborne 157-3, Golborne won by 7 wkts. Swinton Moorside 236 Astley and Tyldesley 126, Swinton won by 110 runs. Darcy Lever 172 Little Hulton 147, Darcy Lever won by 25 runs. Worsley 180 Edgworth 182-3, Edgworth won by 7 wkts. Adlington 112 Bury 116-9, Bury won by 1 wkt. Blackrod 195-8 Standish 128, Blackrod won by 67 runs. Lostock 158-8 Atherton 162-7, Atherton won by 3 wkts. Elton 225-7 Winton 193, Elton won by 32 runs. Walshaw 248-9 Flixton 249-6, Flixton won by 4 wkts.