Nekoli Parris and Matt Twentyman both scored centuries for Bury as Simon Belston’s side moved to within a point of Bolton Association league leaders Flixton on Saturday as the title contenders and fourth-placed Darcy Lever both fell to defeats.

Parris (105) and Twentyman (102) ensured Bury returned to winning ways at home to Little Hulton after last weekend’s surprise defeat to Lostock. The hosts batted first and despite losing early wickets with the score at 6-2 and 69-3, the partnership of 151 from professional Parris and overseas amateur Twentyman saw Simon Belston’s side rack up 253-4 in their 48 overs. Little Hulton scored 170-8 in reply with Suleman Mohammad top-scoring with 68 but they never looked like troubling the new league leaders.

Arshad Khan took 3-28 at the back end of the innings while Parris also picked up 2-24 off 10 overs as his impressive season with bat and ball continued. Bury go to title hopefuls Darcy Lever in the league on Saturday and Belston is prepared for a tough match.

He said: “We know it won’t be an easy game. “They are the surprise package this year having finished near the bottom of the league last season.”

Chris Read starred for Elton as he took 7-53 in their four-wicket win against Standish. The hosts were out for 147 with Sam Heeley top-scoring with 59 as man-of-the-match Read bowled well to restrict the hosts.

Gaz Nicholson’s 40no and Alister Lowes 39no saw Elton claim victory at 148-5. Despite father and son Mike and Liam Watkinson putting on a combined score of 81 for Edgworth, the visitors fell to a 40-run defeat at Walshaw. Jack McClung top-scored for the hosts with 62 and Danny Hornby was out for 50 but Lee Chapman scored a quick 27 to help the Bury side total 197. The best bowler for the visitors was Gareth Williams who took 4-41 off 10 overs and Mike Watkinson also took 3-51 off 18. Elsewhere, Jamar Griffiths top-scored with 98 as champions Atherton defeated Flixton by 15 runs. Title rivals Darcy Lever also lost, falling to a four-wicket defeat at Winton. Majid Majeed’s century helped Adlington secure victory at struggling Astley & Tyldesley, while Chris Sanderson enjoyed a good day with the bat and ball as Blackrod beat Daisy Hill by 22 runs.

Tom Kelly and Jake Waterworth both hit half centuries as Golborne beat Lostock by 37 runs at Haydock, while a century from Jamie McDougall helped newcomers Swinton Moorside get back to winning ways against Worsley.