GREENMOUNT'S investment in junior cricket is paying off, according to head coach Gareth Williams, and the club's under-13s side won the first ever Lancashire Knockout title in their history.

They stormed to a 62-run victory over Lancashire League side Lowerhouse in the final, having already won through four matches against fellow Greater Manchester League sides, as well as knockout games against Orrell Red Triangle and Longridge to reach the showpiece.

The young side will now take on Cheshire in the first round of the national competition, while a number of their top players are already making strides in the senior game.

"In recent years, Greenmount has put a significant amount of resources into junior cricket and it is now beginning to bear fruit," said Williams, head of junior cricket at the GMCL Premier Division club.

"Evan Williams and Calum Hunter are already more than holding their own in the senior sides, with Evan having the distinction of representing every club team from the under-13s to the first team this season.

"It is only a matter of time before the rest of the juniors are breaking into the senior teams.”

Williams retired after scoring 31 while Harry Singh added 29 and Luke Hutchinson smashed 30 late in the innings to help Greenmount set an imposing total of 131.

Both Hunter and Singh took two wickets, with the rest shared around the team as Lowerhouse failed to make a dent in their target.

The victory made up for last season's one-wicket defeat to Formby in the final.

Williams added: “ I am very proud of the team, this is a just reward for all their hard work.

"Most of the team won the under-11s competition last season and are still only 12, which means they will look to retain the trophy next year.

"They are an extremely talented group. Most are playing representative cricket, be it for the county, Bury District or the Greater Manchester League team.

"They have a great team spirit and all have played their part in the successes they have achieved."