REIGNING Greater Manchester League Premier Division champions Egerton continued their losing start to the season with a defeat at fellow strugglers Bury.

Jon Wiggans and Kasun Adikari scored 38 and 33, respectively, for Bury as they moved along to 106-4 in the bottom-of-the-table clash.

But then Bolton-born Lancashire CC spinner Matt Parkinson gave Egerton hope. He helped calm the run-rate and finished with figures of 4-50 as Bury closed on 157-9.

Egerton failed to build on Parkinson’s platform, losing their opening five wickets for just 43 runs.

Dave Hamnett steadied the ship with a knock of 52 in the middle order but with little support he was bowled out by Casmond Walters (4-21) and Egerton were dismissed 31 runs short of their target.

In Division One, Edgworth pushed high-flying Greenmount all the way but eventually lost by 11 runs.

Greenmount’s openers Saad Khan and Kaustub Pawar put on 99 for the first wicket before both men were out for 55.

Darren Foy then chipped in with 27 as the hosts posted 209-8.

Adam Syddall returned the best bowling figures for Edgworth with 3-40.

Clyde Fortuin hit his second century of the season in Edgworth’s reply, scoring 110 off 111 balls, to give Greenmount, who have won all four games this season, a scare.

Syddall added 28 when he turned his hand to the bat but Cameron Smith (6-47) took a flurry of late wickets to bowl Edgworth out for 198.

Astley and Tyldesley recorded a comfortable victory over Elton to go fourth in Division Two.

Paul Bennett bowled 3-16 and Sam Lowe, Jordan O’Malley and Chris Ware all took two wickets apiece as Elton were bowled out for 98. Nathan McDonnell spearheaded the reply with a knock of 39 as A&T reached their target with five wickets to spare.

Results

Bury 157-9, Egerton 126. Bury won by 31 runs.

Greenmount 209-8, Edgworth 198. Greenmount won by 11 runs.

Astley and Tyldesley 99-5, Elton 98. Astley and Tyldesley won by 5 wkts.