BURY’S first team nearly threw away the points in their second derby match of the season in Division Four North of the men’s hockey league on Saturday.

After an even opening 20 minutes, Bury took charge of the game with a typically thunderous Luke Fidler back stick strike opening the scoring. This was swiftly followed by the goal of the game from James Oakes as he confidently finished a slick passing move, which had started deep in the Bury defence.

However, Bury gifted Bolton a way back into the game right on half time, as James Larmett conceded an unnecessary penalty stroke, which was duly converted, and saw the Bury vice-captain sin-binned for five minutes.

Bury started the second half in disastrous fashion, as some poor play gifted Bolton a short corner which they converted, to level the scores. However, from the restart, Bury immediately won a short corner of their own and promptly moved back in front as Oakes deflected David Hodbod’s pass into the net.

Finally, Bury found some sort of rhythm in their passing, which led to Oakes sealing his hat-trick after another good move down the right wing, found the Bury forward with time and space to once again slot home an impressive finish.

However, yet again, Bolton hit back with another short corner routine to set up a nervous last five minutes for Bury, who managed to see out the game thanks to some good saves from Jonathan Howard.

The second team’s return to form continued with more late drama against Preston on Saturday. Finding themselves a goal down with just five minutes remaining, goals from skipper Tony Sanderson and a rare strike from Will Aitken gave the second team a vital three points to solidify their mid-table position in Division Five North.