MARK Stewart has vowed to go out on a high after committing to one final season at Brandlesholme Road.

The experienced seam bowler turns 50 in July and is looking forward to a double celebration, combining his birthday bash with the club's 150th anniversary.

He is also keen to right the wrongs of last season, when Greenmount started the inaugural Greater Manchester League Premier Division campaign as one of the early favourites for the title but ended it with relegation.

Stewart wants to help new captain Phil Heaton fire the club back into the top tier, and kicked off life in Division One with a wicket in a 12-run victory at Stand.

But he was a mere support act to sub pro Bret Pelser, who took a hat-trick and finished with figures of 9-24.

Greenmount were staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat against a side promoted from Division Two last season before the Horwich professional's intervention.

They had toiled to 77 all out on a treacherous wicket, with only Tom Heaton (18) and Darron Foy (24) making it into double figures.

Danish Ateeq led the way with four wickets for 29 runs from 10 overs, while pro Ali Azmat weighed in with 3-17 and captain Stuart Catterall took 2-7.

But dreams of a home victory were quickly dashed once Stand got into bat. They took 10 overs to make it to 14 before the wickets started to tumble and were eventually all out for 65.

"I think we all thought the game was lost after we were out for 77," said Stewart.

"Then the sub pro comes up with an absolutely brilliant spell of bowling – I doubt I will see a better one all season.

"Fair play to Bret as some sub pros just come in to pick up a pay cheque, but he put in a heck of a shift."

Greenmount had initially signed former pro Asif Zakir for the season, but he was picked for Pakistan duty. They have since turned to Mumbai opening batsman Kaustub Pawar, who is a member of the India under-23s squad and has been pro at Northern League side Barrow for the past two seasons, but he was unable to arrange a visa in time for the opening game.

Stewart added: "I don't think you can learn much from a game like that, but it was great to start the season with a win, all the same.

"With what happened last season, I didn't want to end my time playing here that way and I wanted to be part of the anniversary year.

"Bowing out at 50 seemed like a good round number. Hopefully, I can help get the club promoted back where it belongs then the kids can take over and have a bash at the Premier next year."

Unsworth also enjoyed a winning start to life in Division One after being relegated last year. They won by 28 runs at Winton after setting the hosts a target of 224/9.

New captain Jack O'Brien, who stepped up after former skipper and pro Chris Williams left for Middleton, said: "Todd Casey played a crucial innings for us, with the 19-year-old showing great maturity in his 48 after we had lost early wickets.

"Our sub pro, Calvin Savage, then hit 75, while Ian Hall (20) and Mo Shoaib (25) came in at the end with crucial runs.

"Winton had a big chase on their hands but we started badly, with 16 coming off the first over.

"The run chase was getting tense, with Winton reaching about 140-4 before one of our new lads, Mohammed Jahangir came on to bowl and took two crucial wickets."

O'Brien weighed in with three wickets, added: "As captain I was proud of my team. Everyone did their bit and hopefully we can carry on our winning start."