NEIL Tonge was in scintillating form in the opening game of the new season on Saturday as he took six wickets to lead Bury Cricket Club to a four-wicket win against Lostock in the Bolton Association, writes Joshua Rogers.

Tonge was making his debut for the Radcliffe Road men, and if he had any nervousness before the game, he didn’t show it, rattling off six wickets and giving up just 15 runs in 10 overs.

Professional Ashen Silva was equally effective in the win, as he took 4-16 in five overs.

Captain Sean Gibson, who was also making his debut, was impressed by both their performances.

"Tonge played brilliantly. He's very accurate, and knows how to manoeuvre the ball about. He gets a bit of movement with the swing and seam and their openers didn't really know what to do with him,” he said.

“Ashen Silva bowled very well. He's predominately a batsman but his bowling was brilliant. He bowled the right sort of balls and got four wickets so that was good.”

Lostock won the toss and elected to bat, but struggled to get started as Tonge got to work quickly, dismissing Nick Jeffs, Harry Stockton and Matthew Leach for ducks.

Simon Hanson did manage to get some runs on the board for Lostock, but Silva eventually bowled him out for 42.

"He (Simon Hanson) batted really well. He took his time as he had to because there were wickets going around him but our pro managed to get him out in the end,” said Gibson.

The visitors were all out after 96, which gave Bury little to chase down, although they did lose six wickets themselves.

Gibson said: “We had a great game, it was a good bowling and fielding performance.

"In terms of batting we hoped we could knock the score off without losing six wickets so that was the only negative but we did bat well. Silva got some time at the crease, and although he only scored nine, it was good for him to get out there.

"They didn't really put up too much of a fight. Their number 10 scored a quick 20, mostly against my bowling, as they crept their way to 96.”

Gibson joined Bury this summer as former captain Simon Belston stepped down after six years.

On making his debut and captaining Bury for the first time he said: “I think it helped me to come in at number four. It got the early nerves out of the way so I had the confidence to come in and ease us through. It was about staying there and grinding it out to get the result.”

Bury travel to Swinton Moorside on Saturday.