Bury Seniors opened the second half of their Lancashire County Red Rose League season with an encouraging 8-6 victory over leaders Fishwick Hall.

The impressive win, in what was only Bury’s third home match of the season, moved them up to eighth in the table.

Bury got off to the best possible start with skipper Steve Bracegirdle and Billy Lawrence securing a 5&4 opening win against visiting captain Fred Walmsley and Tom Halehurst.

John Latham and Glynn Evans were locked in a titanic struggle with Pat Haughton and Mick McGarrell before the home side putted out on the 18th green to win a marathon game and give Bury a 4-0 advantage.

Bury club chairman John Bradbury and Brian Simper kept their noses in front of Tony Froggatt and Reg Nuttall throughout in an excellent game to secure a 3&2 victory, but Fishwick Hall hit back in game four with a battling win to take the match score to 6-2 with six points to play for.

Game five proved to be an even closer encounter with Dave Kerry and Ken Pendleton holding off a resolute fightback from Steve Jones and Ian Gardiner to go up the 18th at dormie one and clinch the match for Bury on the final green.

The league leaders went on to win the final two matches.