YWCA Bury kept up the pressure on top two Warrington and Oldham in the North West Premier League with a 57-41 win at home to Newman.

The third-placed side, who have suffered just three defeats all season, made it five wins on the bounce against a Newman side that beat table-toppers Warrington last time out.

After edging a tight first quarter 11-9 they accelerated through the gears, extending their lead to 10 points by half time and 13 after the third quarter.

The eventual 16-point winning margin followed another impressive team display, although there were a number of high-quality individual performances.

Elia McCormick and Chloe Addis provided a firm foundation early on, working as a strong defensive unit to turn the ball over time and again.

Centre court players Dani Bloomfield and Nell Clerkin did well to move the ball quickly, as did Rachel Henry, who put in a player of the match performance, while shooters Millie Roscoe and Imogen Turner were clinical.

Lois Pearson came on in the second quarter to produce a tour de force display at goal attack, converting goal after goal while always providing an option in the attacking third.

The club's first team, who play their home matches at Bury Grammar School, have four more matches of the season remaining and trail Warrington by eight point, although they have a game in hand of the leaders.

Bury's Championship side stretched their lead at the top of the table after earning a hard-fought 45-40 win at second-placed Darwen.

They opened up an eight-point lead by the end of the first quarter and while Darwen never got their noses in front the home side battled back and kept pushing Bury until the final whistle.

Caitlin Bloomfield was named player of match for her prowess in the shooting circle, with her goals ensuring Bury are four points clear at the top of the table, with Tameside Blue replacing Darwen in second place.