After crashing out of the Reyner Shield the previous week, the Bury first team travelled to Stockport in the Manchester League. Against slightly easier opponents they put in an impressively solid performance. An early victory for Bernard Sharples put them ahead. Jim Litherland was bemusing his opponent with a gambit defence, but could he turn it into a win? Meanwhile, Keith Evans settled for a draw, whilst the top four boards settled down for a long evening. Roy Wild agreed a draw, and at last Jim produced a decisive win. So, two ahead with three in play, but then another draw, this time from Roger Howley, left Anthony Lee and Mick Norris holding on to draws under pressure. Their opponents accepted draws as the time limit approached, and Bury were winners by two clear points, and without conceding a loss on any board.

 

Stockport 2nd  2.5 v Bury 1st  4.5

Jill Barber 0.5, MJ Norris 0.5 ; M Crowther 0.5, RW Howley 0.5 ; M Tunstall 0.5, A Lee 0.5 ;

A Coe 0.5, R Wild 0.5 ; P King 0, B Sharples 1 ; M McNulty 0.5, K Evans 0.5 ; L Smith 0, J Litherland i.