YWCA Bury beat Norfolk United 66-53 in their last National Premier League 3 home game of the season, with Lois Pearson’s 100-per-cent shooting accuracy vital as they consolidated second place in the table.

Bury had edged the reverse fixture in Norwich earlier in the season and their class, speed and movement showed as the first quarter unfolded, with Tyrene Karim and Jenny Cross turning defence into attack to establish an 18-11 lead.

Player-coach Rachel Henry kept faith with her starting seven for the second quarter and they repaid that faith by building a 14-goal advantage.

Pearson’s movement was giving the Norfolk defenders a real headache while Millie Roscoe was brilliantly creating space in front of the goal keeper.

With both teams making unforced errors as the half drew to a close Bury went into the break 33-21 ahead.

A reshuffle at half time slowed the hosts’ rhythm and Norfolk started to close the gap but after they had pulled to within five points YWCA’s captain Elia McCormick started to get the better of Norfolk’s tall shooter with several telling tips and interceptions, and so Bury headed into the final break leading 45-38.

In the fourth quarter Caitlin Sharkey made her senior debut at goal shooter, replacing 26-goal Roscoe.

Though both sides were shooting well, Sharkey’s 13 from 14 attempts, and 27 from 27 for Pearson, saw Bury home, led by a player-of-the-match performance from McCormick.

Bury head for St Albans this weekend knowing one victory from their last three games will confirm their second straight promotion.