AFTER suffering their first defeats of the season last weekend, Bury captain Sean Gibson is hoping his side can bounce back when they take on Adlington in the league on Saturday and Great Ecclestone in the Lancashire Knockout on Sunday.

Last week's unbeaten joint league leaders slipped to ninth in the Association table following back-to-back defeats at Astley and Tyldesley and Atherton, but Gibson insists his side just had a bad weekend and will now look to get back to winning ways, starting with a home game against struggling Adlington, who have won just one of their five games so far this season.

"They haven't had a great start and we need to take advantage of that to get us back on track," he said.

"We are not a ninth-placed team and we won't be come the end of the season.

"Losing a close game on Saturday and being beaten a bit more comprehensively on Sunday doesn't make us a bad team, we just had a bad weekend."

With wicketkeeper Karl Belston on holiday and a number of other key players including Irfam Rana, who scored 48 a fortnight ago, Alex Breckin and Mumtaz Mirza only available for one game each, the Radcliffe Road men were depleted for both games.

"They are all big players who usually contribute so it left us behind a bit," said Gibson.

"It's going to be like that for a few weeks now with players on holiday, doing exams and having work commitments.

"The more experienced first team players will need to step up and perform."

Jordan O’Malley’s seven-wicket haul ensured Astley and Tyldesley continued their 100 per cent record with a three-wicket win on Saturday.

Mirza (82) and Gibson (54) led with the bat for the Bury who posted 201 all out – with O’Malley taking 7-51, including four maidens.

In reply Hemant Patel struck 69 as the hosts came back with three wickets to spare - Neil Tong the most notable bowler taking 4-55.

Jamar Griffith scored 81no as Atherton defeated Bury by six wickets on Sunday.

Simon Belston (53) and Gibson (31) helped Bury progress to 146, before Griffith led his side to victory.

"Everyone was a bit disappointed because we had the opportunities to win both matches but it didn't happen," said Gibson.

"We are following the same formula at the moment. We are losing a couple of wickets early and then the third-wicket partnership puts us in a good position.

"We were 148-2 off 27 overs on Saturday and from there we should be looking at scoring close to 300 but we lost the last eight wickets for just 50 runs

"A&T scored their 200 off 45 overs so it was close but they just came out on top."

"Against Atherton on Sunday we knew we wouldn't get a massive score because of the consistency and skill of their pro Griffith.

"But we should have got more than 146 runs. We should have taken advantage of the other bowlers but again we lost wickets at crucial times."

The Radcliffe Road men are holding a meeting tonight to discuss the merits of the Greater Manchester Cricket League.

While no decision is likely this week, Gibson said: "It will be good to have a debate and decide what we want to do as a club.

"Like plenty of people at the club, I like the idea of the GM League but there are plenty that don't.

"Some people think that other league expansions might be a better idea.

"We all want to play the best players and teams possible and whatever the best way to do that is, is what we should take advantage of."