BURY'S Over-45s put up a valiant fight at Little Lever Cricket Club in the opening away match of the interleague series before falling to a 202-164 defeat.

They were always up against it after the home side scored 123 in the first innings, making it to the seventh round of batting.

A difficult task was made tougher after Bury lost their opening batter on the first ball.

The visitors went on to score 74 points, helped greatly by Elton Vale's Donna Cuddy with 23, Fishpool's Deb Pierce, who scored 20, and Unsworth's Bev Brockley with 12.

The trio were the only Bury players to reach double figures.

Trailing by 49 points, they were asked to bat again.

Cuddy, the highest first-half scorer, was out from the first ball she faced, but the team raised their game and managed a further 90 points to send Bolton back in needing 42 for victory.

The Bolton team easily surpassed their target after steady batting throughout.

Maria Gregory was their highest scorer in both innings, with 17 and 15, respectively, and went on to collect the player's player trophy.

Darcy Lever A's Sarah Gradwell and Farnworth United's Bev Molroney each chipped in with 11 points.

It is the turn of the u18s tomorrow, with Bury continuing their run of away matches at Bolton Cricket Club.