A HORWICH cricketer has wrote his name in the Ramsbottom Road club's history books after scoring a century at the age of 13.

Junior rules in Bolton Cricket League cricket state batsmen must retire at 30 to give other batsmen the opportunity of gaining game time at the crease but in the Horwich against Farnworth Social Circle cup game Mikey Gibson won over both sets of fans with his fantastic knock.

The Bolton School pupil's innings included 12 fours and seven sixes on his way to the century.

Proud mum Julie Gibson, admitted she was nervous sitting on the sidelines.

She said: "It was a great achievement, everyone who was there were cheering him on even the other parents.

"The weather was not good and it was reduced.

"He got up to 70 and the coaches were wanting him to retire but the opposition coach told them to keep him on for the 100.

"It was nerve-wracking as he seemed to be on 99 for ever.

"When he got over the mark everyone cheered and was thrilled for him."

Horwich declared after 15.2 overs due to the bad weather and at that point stood on 152-2.

Dave Fairbrother's side then restricted Social Circle for 44-8 to win by 108 runs.

Julie added: "The most satisfying thing about it was that he told me he was doing it all for the team and to ensure they won.

"It made me so proud as getting 100 is a selfish act but he wanted to do it for them."

The all-rounder has been in fine form with the bat by retiring on 30 in all three league matches this season as well as taking six wickets so far.

But Julie believes it would not have been possible without the support of her coaches.

"Mike Fletcher and Dave Fairbrother have been great and they really look after him."

Julie insists Mikey has loves the sport and wants to rise through the ranks.

"He started playing since he was eight and used to play for Daisy Hill before being moving to Horwich three seasons ago.

"He have always had the sport in his life as his dad is Ottis Gibson and loves having the ball in every room in the house and always has it in his hand.

"He watches outside to see what the weather is like and gets upset if the rain stops the games being on.

"Hopefully it is something he will cherish."

Gibson has played for Horwich at under-11s, u13s and u15s but with school commitments this year he is focussing on the u11s and then older age-groups and seniors later this season.

Mike Buckley, chairman of the Bolton League junior section, said: "I think that the only other person to have got a century was Haseeb Hameed and we all know where he is now in the Lancashire set-up.

"It is a brilliant achievement for a 13-year-old to get 100.

"Everybody dreams about getting that score and I have been trying for more that 30 years.

"It is something we should all celebrating as getting to 50 is hard enough but to take it up to 100 is even better considering it was a limited 20 over game."

n Do you have a junior cricket story? Get in touch by sending an email to robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk.