BURY Bluedevils are well placed to launch a bid for the MABL Championship title after a convincing 82-40 victory at home to Our Ladys last weekend.

The Bluedevils overturned an early 4-0 deficit to open up a 16-6 lead by the end of the first quarter following baskets from veterans Stu Jackson and Mike Nichols and a couple of three-pointers from Phil Stainton.

Youngster Jude Esan also contributed to the turnaround as Bury tightened up in defence.

The second quarter proved to be much the same, with Graham Green laying the foundation for a flurry of baskets with a succession of turnovers.

His intensity was contagious and the whole team were able to raise their game both defensively and on the offensive end.

Greene again set the standard defensively with Elliot Smith and Vitoldas Balciunas playing well inside, making pin-point accurate passes to the open men.

With Esan slicing open the opposition defence and Scott Maffia running the show from point guard, Bury dominated the third quarter, winning it 25-4 to give them an almost unassailable 63-20 lead.

Jackson and Balcuinas extended Bury’s lead to 49 points before the visitors started to relax into the game, knowing victory was out of their grasp.

Our Ladys won the final quarter 20-19 but the Bluedevils were good value for their 42-point win and with four games of the season remaining they are running neck and neck with the division's top four contenders.