LEAGUE champions Walsden got the better of Worlsey Cup holders Lowerhouse to lift the Ron Singleton Colne Trophy on Saturday.

The Lancashire League’s annual curtain-raiser welcomes in the new summer of cricket and was a chance for both sides to make a fast start to the summer.

The title-holders won the toss at the Brooks Foundation Ground and batted first.

Jake Hooson top scored for Walsden with 86 in their total of 261-7 from their 50 overs.

House’s reply never got going and they were dismissed for 169, professional Ockert Erasmus top scoring with 52, as they went down to a 92-run defeat.

Joe Gale did the damage with the ball for the 2018 champions, finishing with 4-32.

It was Hooson’s knock though that was ultimately decisive. The opener played patiently, taking 125 balls to make his 86, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

Walsden were 32-3 at one stage but Umesh Karunaratne provided him with some much-needed support, the pair putting on 98 for the fourth wicket.

After the Sri Lankan departed for 46, Gale came in and carried on the momentum, hitting 44 from just 28 balls including four fours and three sixes.

Elliot Gilford, 36, and Oliver Whitehead, 22, also made important contributions down the order. House stumbled out of the blocks in reply and never really recovered.

Ben Heap, Jonny Whitehead and Paddy Martin all went cheaply leaving Erasmus with an uphill task.

He was joined by Charlie Cottam, 28, and the pair took the score to 87-4 before Erasmus was trapped in front by Karunaratne having hit nine boundaries.

House battled on from that point but were always up against it.

Toxy Hussain finished not out on 24 having earlier been the pick of the home bowlers with 3-28 from his 10 overs.

Joe Hawke made 19 and Joe Martin 17 as the cup winners were dismissed inside 35 overs.