JOSHUA Little was a big hit when he took the crease for Horwich in an under-13s Twenty20 cup game.

The 12-year-old produced a feat rarely seen in his age group when he scored a century.

Getting into three figures in junior cricket is only something that has occurred in recent years as batsmen throughout the game have become encouraged to be more attacking.

But centuries at under-13s are still only a once-in-a-season thing, according to Mick Fletcher who, along with Dave Fairbrother, coaches Joshua and the other juniors at Horwich.

"It's very rare to get a hundred at this age," he said.

"We had one last year when Michael Gibson, [ex-West Indies player] Ottis Gibson’s lad, scored a hundred against Farnworth Social Circle under-13s, so we’ve had one a year.

"And that's a lot – when I was a lad it was unheard of to score a hundred at this age group.

"And it was a fantastic knock for a young lad, something you don’t see a lot."

The youngster completed his super century is some style. The opener was on 96 with one ball of the 20 overs left.

He needed a four but went one better when he smashed a six to finish on 102 not out.

With his partner scoring 58 Horwich finished on 174-0 before getting Westhoughton out for 60.

Joshua, who lives in Westhoughton and started at Blackrod before moving to Horwich two years ago, is a wicketkeeper who also plays for Lancashire Under-12s.

"It was a magnificent achievement by Joshua," said Fletcher. "I and Dave Fairbrother are proud we are producing young lads like this and that Horwich CC are bringing on so many good young players."