UNBEATEN centuries from captain Sean Gibson and professional Ashen Silva saw top-of-the-table Bury clinch an eight-wicket victory over Swinton Moorside on Saturday.

The duo hit 115 not out and 106no respectively as the Radcliffe Road men continued their winning start to the season.

And although delighted with his personal tally and his side's form, ex-Unsworth and Radcliffe captain Gibson played down his team's impressive run-rate as they chased down Swinton's total of 252-7.

"It's a very small ground at Swinton so it is quite easy to post big scores," he said.

"Anything around 250 runs probably equates to about 180 on a bigger ground, so we were always happy to keep them down to that mark.

"When you come into a new club, especially as captain, you do feel the need to prove yourself so it was brilliant for me to score my first century for Bury.

"It meant a lot to Ashen too as it was his first in English cricket.

"He is really struggling to adapt to the weather, so I was particularly pleased for him."

James Wade (56), David Hatley (40) and Jonny Herreran (40) all led with the bat for the hosts with Matt Smalley the pick of the Bury bowlers, taking 4-75.

Matt Norvall dismissed Bury’s opening batsmen Simon Belston and Mumtaz Mirza for 33, before Gibson and Silva steadied the visitors' innings to clinch the victory in style. And the Bury captain was pleased with his side's overall performance.

"It was tense and heated in places but it was a good game overall," said Gibson.

"Our bowling started and ended really well but there was a point in the middle where their captain, Callum Flynn, really tried to get hold of us.

"Luckily Smalley came in to bowl the final 10 overs and took some crucial wickets and Mirza also had two really good spells.

"We started slowly with the bat and just bidded our time.

"It was a good wicket, the bowlers were playing well and moving it about a bit so you couldn't just go for it from the start.

"We needed 120 off the last 16 overs, which was quite a few really, but we kept our heads, scored quick runs and did it."

Elsewhere, Bury's next opponents Atherton were victorious against local rivals Walshaw.

Callum Barlow scored 86 and was joined by Jamar Griffith (31) and Dale Tyrer (30) in setting a 211-4 target. Liam Riley was the most notable bowler taking 4-78.

Tom Murphy (31) top-scored for Walshaw but their response was brushed aside by brilliant bowling from Harry McManus (3-37) and Josh Grilluley (3-46), finishing on 158-9.