DELIGHTED Greenmount skipper Andy Kerr admits it was a 'great feeling' to lift the Hamer Cup trophy in only his second season as captain.

The Brandlesholme Road made sure they will bow out of the Bolton League in style after clinching their first silverware of the campaign with victory against Westhoughton

And with the league title still within their grasp, Kerr is urging the five-time Hamer Cup winners to replicate their double-winning success of 2011 before moving to the Greater Manchester Cricket League next year.

"It was a great to win the cup but we are only halfway there," he told the Bury Times.

"Obviously we are going to enjoy the cup victory but now it's time to concentrate on the league and hopefully by the end of the season there will be two trophies sat next to each other on the bar."

After leading the way to victory with the bat, the skipper admitted to being nervous before the trophy presentation.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," he said.

"I asked Mark Stewart, who was captain in 2011, what it was like and all he said to me was 'be careful it's heavy'.

"He was right because it really is heavy but it was a great feeling to finally lift it."

Greenmount started well as Kerr knocked a half-century.

A strong middle-order ensured continuous high-scoring stands as Simon Woolford got in on the act hitting 49. Damion Keegan scored 27 not out at the tail end as his side finished on 185-9. Kieran Edwards did the most damage with the ball taking 5-42 in 10 overs.

Westhoughton's reply could not have started any worse when they lost two wickets before any runs were scored.

And it was all downhill from there as the batting line up failed to cope with the bowling attack of Phil Heaton and Mark Stewart – who both took four wickets each for 35 and 42 respectively.

Professional Qaisar Abbass was bowled out for 24 by Josh Macey (2-22) whose tidy five overs also saw him take the wicket of regular big-hitter Oliver Newby.

Dan Higham launched a late attack and top-scored with 28 not out for the Howfeners – but with four ducks and only four batsmen in double figures his side were bowled out for 99.

"The loss of a few early wickets wasn't the ideal start for us," admits Kerr. "But we always know we've got the depth in the team.

"When you've got players like Keegan who can come in and hit 27 not out at the end of the game it's ideal.

"It took us over that physiological 180-run mark which made it difficult for Westhoughton to chase."

Club stalwart Mark Stewart received the man of the match award and although Kerr believed the League's record wicket taker deserved the accolade, he was also impressed with a number of his team-mates.

"Obviously Stewart bowled well as usual but I thought fellow bowler Phil Heaton also did well.

"He hasn't always taken the new ball this year but we felt the wicket was right for him to open.

"Second team player Simon Woolford hasn't played much cricket this term but came in at number five and did a job for us in a pressure situation, while overseas amateur Josh Macey bowled really well taking two key wickets of Oliver Newby and their pro Abbas.

In the league, Egerton took advantage of Greenmount's washed out home game with Walkden last weekend to join the leaders at the top of the pile, and as Kerr prepares for the trip to Astley Bridge on Saturday he is more than aware that his side can not afford any slip ups in the remaining 10 games of the season.

"It won't be an easy game but we will approach the it as we have been doing and hopefully come out on top because there is no room for slip ups now.

"The way we are playing and the way we have used the depth in the team with everyone contributing at different times.

"Everyone is confident with their own game so that stands us in good stead for the rest of the campaign."