BURY District Under-11s have become Lancashire Schools Cricket Association champions for the second time in three years with a 13-run win against a highly-rated Wigan side.

In the showpiece final at Newton-le-Willows, Bury won an important toss and decided to bat before openers Aaryman Roy (46) and JJ Fielding (16) shared a 50 partnership partnership.

With help from Oliver Pilkington (33) and Owen Halstead (21), among others, Bury reached an impressive 188-8 off 40 overs. Wigan got off to a rocky start with some confusion between batters resulting in two unncecessary run outs.

But their middle order steadied the ship and they made a valiant effort late on, helped by some indifferent bowling which included a disappointing 54 extras from Bury, which tested wicketkeeper Lleyton Belston.

Jack Doyle eventually slowed the run rate down with 0-20 off five overs and Matthew Hall 2-24 off eight overs and Wigan were all out for 175.

Bury team manager Paul Belston, of Bury Cricket Development Group, said: “The last 10 overs were a tense affair, but a large crowd saw a great exhibition of cricket between two teams who delivered the ‘spirit of cricket’ while producing a competitive and enthralling game. “This bodes well for all our clubs in the Bury area.”