BEN Heap admitted he was delighted to hit the ground running after a knock of 144 helped Lowerhouse begin their Lancashire League season with a victory.

The House skipper plundered his runs off just 124 balls as his side racked up a daunting 252-3 which proved too much for the league newcomers who succumbed to 93 all out.

Heap will now hope to maintain that high standard when his side host another new face in Walsden on Sunday.

“It was good to bat so well in the first game and for us to get 12 points,” said the 29-year-old whose opening day knock was his second highest career score, falling just short of the 175 he made last season.

“For some reason I felt nervous when I went out to bat at Milnrow and I am usually okay.

“I think that was down to not having had any friendlies or been outside much at all over the winter due to the weather.

“I have just been getting some batting in as and when I can.

“But after five or six overs I settled down, I wasn’t too scratchy and I think my hundred was pretty much a run a ball and then I accelerated away from there.

“I thought I played very well and not didn’t really give a chance until I got to about 80 or 90.

“It was great to start with a win and once we set that total we always thought it would be enough.”

And so it proved as Joey Hawke took 4-15 and professional Ockert Erasmus 3-17 to ensure a comfortable victory.

Heap added: “We were going to bowl first so when they stuck us in there was an element of seeing how the pitch would play but in the end we did enough and it was a good all-round performance.

“Joey bowled a really good tight spell and that is something we want to improve on this season, I think last year we bowled too many bad balls and you do get found out against better teams.

“We want to make sure we keep things tight this year and it was a good start.”

It will be another step into the unknown for Lowerhouse this weekend when they welcome Walsden to Liverpool Road and Heap is expecting a tough test against a side who saw off Rishton in their opener.

“They are supposed to be a good team,” he added.

“I have spoken to a few people who expect them to be very strong this year and they have some players with Lancashire League experience so they know what it is all about.

“We’re expecting a very tough game.”