BURY Hockey Club's depleted men's first team went down 4-2 to runaway league leaders Southport.

They were very much the underdogs but gave a good account of themselves and were edging the first half before two quickfire goals saw them go into the break 2-0 down.

They fought back via a Jack Marshall-Grint thunderbolt at a penalty corner but a lapse in concentration saw Southport restore their two-goal lead immediately.

Rob Fogwill despatched a drag flick to reduce arrears but Southport put the game to bed with a drag flick of their own to finish 4-2.

The men's seconds went down 4-1 to Salford University.

A good first half saw the score 1-1, Matt Cooke equalising after a Salford attack was broken up and the ball was fired up to Andy Zhou, who showed great composure to secure the ball and pass it off for Cooke to finish on his reverse.

However, Salford fired in three more goals in the second half to take all the points.

The ladies' firsts had two games – a 2-2 draw against Heaton, where Lily Furse and Sophie Foreman were on the scoresheet, and a cup match against Didsbury from the league above.

In that tie, Bury started with a goal advantage, as per cup rules, and gave an incredible account of themselves in the first half.

In the second half, Didsbury pressed high looking for a goal but Bury stood strong until their resolve broke and, combined with fatigue and low squad numbers, their opponents scored four more goals to win the match.

Abby Barber got player of the match in both games after two outstanding performances, along with taking on the captain’s role on Sunday.

There were also two matches for the ladies' seconds, beating Stockport 2-1, thanks to goals from Sophie and Chloe Edgington, and losing 3-1 against champions-elect Horwich, despite taking the lead through Heledd Rimmer.