TEENAGE opener Joe Ball hit a brilliant 185 not out on Saturday, the highest score in this summer’s Bolton League, and former Heaton captain Warwick Milne declared: “He’s just got it. It’s as simple as that.”

Bolton School star Ball, aged 17, was the standout performer as struggling Heaton shocked Association leaders Little Lever by 63 runs on Duckworth-Lewis at Victory Road.

It was the visitors' fourth win from 12 matches this season and cut Little Lever’s lead at the top of the table to just four points ahead of second-placed Tonge.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ball’s 185 off 146 balls included 21 fours and 11 sixes and underpinned Heaton’s 312-7 from 48 overs.

In reply, chasing 263 in 28, Little Lever finished on 199-8, with Josh Gent (73) top-scoring and Ball adding a stumping and a catch as the wickets were shared.

“I haven’t seen a kid bat like that for a long time,” said Milne.

“It’s the highest score by any Heaton player ever, pro or amateur.

“The previous one in the late eighties, Mark Hutchinson got 171 at Bradshaw and a pro of ours, Chris Sainsbury, got 165 against Astley Bridge I think.

“They were proper shots all around the wicket – just exemplary.

“Once he’d got to about 110, and we were in the last six overs or so, he probably hit 70. He cut loose.

“It wasn't as if the Little Lever lads bowled badly. Maybe they were a bit dispirited at that stage. But you just couldn't bowl at him. He hit the ball wherever he wanted. It was astonishing.

“Joe’s last four out of five digs are 185, 33, 105 not out and 92. He’s got a season’s worth in four matches.

“It’s easy to get emotive about it. but for the life of me I don't understand how he’s missed the age-groups at Lancashire level.

“Sometimes it just clicks with a player, and it has done with him. He looks in complete control.

“He’s a quiet and modest lad. He just about managed a smile for his hundred and took his helmet off. And he smiled when he came in. There was no fist pumping. He just batted.”

Another standout statistic was that no other Heaton batsman made it beyond 26: “They didn’t need to,” laughed Milne, who is encouraged by a young Heaton side’s progression under captain Oliver Sutcliffe. He has replaced Gary Garner.

“We’ve had a bit of internal strife, and some of the decisions we made at committee level weren’t right,” explained Milne. “We’ve corrected those.

“We had a poor start, but we’re doing things right now.

“All of a sudden, there’s some self belief.

“Put in a 50/50 situation early season, we’d lose. I’d now back us to win. I think we’ll finish strongly.

“We have some plans in place for next year, and we’ll be making a big effort to get promoted. We need to attract probably three or four players.”

Meanwhile, Heaton have brought in Mick Fletcher and David Fairbrother to help with their senior coaching. It is something Milne is hoping will extend down to the juniors in the near future.