BOLTON Hockey Club ladies' second team earned the local bragging rights with a 2-1 victory over Bury.

A good start saw Emily Hawkridge and Rachel McNally earn a series of short corners with impressive play down the left.

Bury almost capitalised on their opponents' failure to convert any of them by applying strong pressure which Amy Clarke and Rebecca Denton did well to repel in defence.

Bolton took the lead just before half time when a pinpoint pass from McNally was swept in by Emily Hawkridge.

With Fiona Clarke superb up front Bolton threatened to extend their lead, and the two-goal cushion was eventually provided when Jude Gough got the final touch to a Debbie Nicholson shot from a short corner which had been won by some quick passing between Jess Flegg, Gough and Debbie Green.

Bury pulled a goal back five minutes from the end but Bolton got the reward for a much-improved performance from the previous week with the win.

Bolton men's first team drew 4-4 in a topsy-turvy game against Southport men's firsts.

They recovered from going two goals down in the first five minutes to take a 3-2 lead into half time.

In an end-to-end second half Bolton went down to nine men for 15 minutes in which Southport equalised.

Bolton restored their lead but could not hold on for the win.