YWCA Bury's second team kicked off their North West Championship League Division One campaign with a 53-45 victory at home to Bramhall.

The home side edged a tight opening quarter 12-10 before stretching the lead to 10 by the end of the first half.

The responded well to a number of substitutions and positional changes made by coach Rachel Henry, and moved to 29-19 after a number of turnovers in defence and some strong attacking play.

Bury extended their lead further, going into the final quarter 42-30 up before Bramhall launched a determined fightback.

And while the visitors moved to within eight points by the final whistle, the result was never really in doubt.

Debutant Katie Howarth, who played three quarters in goal defence, was named player of the match, while captain Lucy Lucketti's leadership never faltered throughout the game.

The result left the YWCA team joint top of Division One, with their next match Dominoes next Sunday, October 1.

The first team's Premier League campaign begins on Saturday with a tough opening fixture at last year's promotion rivals Warrington.