A JAMES Oakes hat-trick helped Bury men’s first team climb joint top of Division Three North of the North West Hockey League with a 3-2 victory at struggling Golborne on Saturday.

The visitors took advantage of an understrength Golborne side to record another win with Oakes opening the scoring in the first half when he pounced on a rebound following strike partner Adam Friend’s initial shot.

Oakes doubled the lead soon after with a simple finish following good midfield play from Ian Hillary, James Larmett and Dan Balding.

The loss of Friend to a recurring hamstring injury gave Golborne the chance to get back into the game, as they pulled a goal back with a reverse stick strike.

However, Oakes then produced a moment of magic to seal his first half hat-trick as he received a ball on the right hand side from Jack Dixon before taking on several players. With his close control taking him past each man with ease, Oakes slotted the ball home to claim his first hat-trick of the season.

Golborne added another goal from a short corner in the second half which set up a tense finish, but the Castlebrook side held on for the points.

The second team finally ended their run of defeats with a 2-2 draw at home to Golborne on Saturday but will feel they should have taken all three points.

A dominant first half performance saw Danny Quin give Bury the lead after a sustained period of pressure, firing home from a narrowing angle.

Bury doubled their advantage before the break when Chris McManus opened his account for the season, deftly touching home Rob Fogwill’s drag flick.

An aggressive Golborne side turned the tables in the second half when they won a penalty stroke to get them back into the game. Then, with home skipper Sameer Sheikh sinbinned following a foul in the circle, the visitors converted a short corner to level the scores.