GREATER Manchester League's under-12s side won a low-scoring thriller at Hightown to kick off their campaign in the LCB junior inter-league series with victory over Liverpool Competition.

The weather beat the u14s' attempt to make it two wins out of two against the same opposition, as their match at Woodbank was abandoned after the home side posted an impressive total of 252-4 off their 40 overs.

Coach and manager John Stevens believes there is more to come from the u12s after their debut in the competition ended in a 30-run win.

The GMCL side were all out for 118 in a match reduced to 35 overs. Their total was boosted by a half century from Callum Hunter, who produced some fine fielding to take a catch and a run-out as the Liverpool Competition folded from 67-2 to 88 all out.

Stevens said: "It was an excellent and hard-fought match where the boys have shown good character and spirit as a team to overcome a disappointing batting performance.

"Great credit to Callum and Kartik for setting up a total to defend and then to the whole group for executing our plans in the field.

"The lads have worked hard in training over the past month and I'm sure they will continue to improve as the season progresses."

GMCL had been reduced to 43-5 before Hunter and Kartik Joshi steadied the ship with a sensible well paced stand of 46.

Joshi holed out for a patient 12, but Hunter struck some delightful blows for a well deserved 52, which included seven fours and one six.

Liverpool had a similarly sticky start against tight accurate bowling from Matthew Senior and Hunter, but despite losing two early wickets they reached looked to be cruising to victory before Hunter took a superb low catch to remove county opener Hurst off the bowling of Joshi.

Straight bowling induced pressure as Joshi bagged two more quick wickets and spin master Harry Singh found the right spot to induce some bite from the pitch and followed suit with two of his own.

The fielding gathered momentum with great intensity and Liverpool were stunned by direct run outs from Alex Old and Hunter.

Heywood's Michael Witts hit a century for the u14s in their abandoned match at Woodbank.

He was supported well by home favourite Matthew Hall, who hit 44. The pair shared a 115 partnership, with Witts going on to make 135 not out.

Sam Rhodes, of Walshaw, also weighed in with some late runs, but after the GMCL boys put in so much effort to put themselves into a winning position the rain washed away any hopes of victory.