THE hockey season gets under way this weekend with Bury's top four teams all action.

James Larmett will make his competitive debut as captain of the men's first team on Saturday, when they entertain Fylde in Division Three North of the North West Men's League.

The men's second team, which gained promotion to Division Five North South, open up their campaign away to Southport Men's seconds.

Whatever the Bury men's teams can do, in recent seasons at least, it seems the women's section can go one better.

The women's first team cantered to promotion last season, comfortably earning promotion back up to Division One of the Greater Manchester Women's Association.

Their first match back up in the top tier is away to City of Manchester firsts.

The Bury women's section has great strength in depth, which was shown by the performance of the second team last season.

After winning promotion in 2016 they were able to consolidate their place in Division Two, despite many of their players making the step up into the first team.

Despite a slow start, they came storming back in the second half of the campaign to move away from relegation danger.

While the club has enjoyed decent success over the past few seasons, organisers are always on the lookout for new players.

A spokesman said: "Last Friday saw a record number of juniors attend an opening training session, with more than 50 youngsters turning up to test out their skills.

"But we are always looking to add to our membership and are happy to take new players, young and old, especially in the men's section.

"Any potential players interested in joining should email buryhockeyclub@hotmail.co.uk or visit the club’s website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/buryhockeyclub for more information.

"Training for senior players takes place at the club’s home pitch of Castlebrook High School on Wednesday nights at 8pm, when all new players are welcome to join in." 

The men's teams have enjoyed some mixed results in pre-season, with four games against Timperley and Sheffield-based Chapeltown.

A Rob Fogwill goal was not enough for the first team against Timperley as they were edged out 2-1, while the second team lost by the same scoreline.

In Sheffield, new-boy Darren Long’s excellent wing play helped to set up Bury’s goal in another 2-1 defeat for the first team, but there was better news for the seconds, who ran out 5-0 winners, spurred on by an outstanding display from brothers Saleem and Siraj Raza.