LOWERHOUSE lifted the Worsley Cup for the fourth time - and a second success in the last three finals - after beating Clitheroe with a fine all-round performance.

Captain Ben Heap and sub professional Ruhan Pretorius both produced with the bat while Francois Haasbroek did the business with the ball to seal a 67-run win over a Clitheroe side looking to lift the old trophy for the first time.

Opener Heap scored a fine 67 while Pretorius added a rapid unbeaten 79 from just 45 balls as Lowerhouse posted 254-6 from their 50 overs.

It was a vital contribution from Pretorius - who plays for Woodvale in Northern Ireland - as House were struggling after Heap’s dismissal sparked a mini collapse, losing five wickets for just 22 runs.

The South African put on an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 84 with Chris Bleazard - 76 of those runs coming off the last five overs.

But it wasn’t the biggest partnership of Lowerhouse innings as Heap and Jonny Whitehead scored 123 for the second wicket which lay the foundations for a very competitive total.

Joey Martin was the first wicket to fall on the day, caught by Kyle O’Connor off the bowling of Sam Halstead for 10.

Heap and Whitehead kept the scoreboard ticking over before a mix-up between the pair saw Heap run out for a knock of 67 that included seven fours.

At 148-2, Lowerhouse were still in a good place but within a blink of an eye, they slumped to 170-6 with former Burnley player Cole Hayman taking two wickets in two balls to give Clitheroe hope.

After Heap’s departure, Whitehead was next to go with just five runs added - falling to sub pro Harpreet Singh for 44.

Hayman then took the wickets of Haasbroek and Paddy Martin in successive balls without scoring.

When Charlie Cottam was trapped by Ali Ross for eight, it looked like Lowerhouse might struggle to get to 200.

However, Pretorius - whose knock included six sixes and six fours - and Bleazard (14no) steady the ship to add what proved to be vital late runs.

In reply, Ross and Thomas Lord got Clitheroe off to a steady start before Ross was trapped lbw for 17 off Haasbroek with 41 runs on the board.

Lord was next to go for 40 following a second run-out of the final - but this was down to some brilliant fielding by Martin rather than any mix-up.

Martin then claimed the wicket of Jack Dewhurst (14) while sub pro Singh (19) was trapped by Jon Finch without adding to the total and Clitheroe were 95-4.

Captain Peter Dibb (29) and Sam Mulligan (31) went some way to steadying the ship, adding 62 for the fifth wicket, before Martin claimed the wicket of Mulligan.

Haasbroek, who would have been disappointed not to have produced with the bat, more than made up with it with the ball.

He returned to the attack with devastating effect, claiming the last five wickets - including that of Dibb - to finish with figures of 6-35 and wrap up a memorable victory for Lowerhouse.