MANCHESTER Area Basketball League Championship leaders Bury Blue Devils face a title decider at home to second-placed St Helens in the final match of the season.

The Blue Devils retained top spot with a 92-52 victory over Warrington in their penultimate game of the season.

Bury scored first through Phil Stainton following a great tip from Vitoldas Balciunas before putting up a sterling defence to continually deny their opponents scoring chances.

Balciunas, Mike Nichols and Jason Knowles all scored in a 16-2 run to stamp their authority on the match in the opening stages.

Scott Maffia and Ergoli Togo both hit the mark, while the side’s ruthless defence helped Bury extend their lead to 28-7 by the close of the first quarter.

Warrington made a determined effort to force their way back into the encounter and started to score inside and on fast breaks.

But baskets from Balciunas, Jackson and Stainton pushed the lead to 26 points and one point and they eventually went into the half-time break leading 45-21.

Frustrations were beginning to boil over for Warrington as they made some hard fouls, but Bury kept clear and focussed heads.

Knowles handled the ball well under pressure, making some sublime passes, while Balciunas used great footwork and strength to score inside as the team pulled away to lead by 32 points with a quarter to play.

The Blue Devils moved the ball well and kept to their defensive strategy in in the latter stages.

Stainton put in a big block to stop a potential Warrington basket, while the pick and roll plays worked well allowing Bury to hit open shots.

The Blue Devils must now repeat the same level of performance in their final match at Bury Grammar on Friday, April 22 (tip-off 8.30pm), to take the title.