WALSHAW clinched a place in the Bolton Association's Cross Cup final for the second time in three years with a 37-run away triumph over Little Hulton.

The triumph wasn't quite as comfortable as the scores suggested as, teetering on 80 for 5 midway through their innings, their chances of setting a winnable target against a strong batting side looked dodgy.

Nevertheless, led by skipper Bret Collins (48) and Glen Stephens (54) and backed up by the lower order batsmen they eventually reached 220 for 9 which was always going to be a testing total to chase.

Little Hulton's professional Ijaz Mahmood is a powerful batsman and while he was at the wicket the result was always in doubt.

He made 76 before being crucially bowled by second team skipper Dave Leach and from then on wickets fell steadily and the home team were bowled out for 183, 37 runs short with three overs to spare.

Walshaw's opponents in the final on Sunday, August 1 will be Clifton who disposed of Atherton by seven wickets.

Meanwhile, it looked odds on that league leaders ELTON'S clash with Golborne last Saturday would become a victim of the weather.

However, after a change of heart from Mother Nature, combined with a hearty clean-up operation, the game managed to be completed.

The game was however reduced to 26 overs per side, with Golborne electing to bat first.

Opening bowlers Peter Kay and Dexter Fitton shared 13 overs apiece and proved to be very miserly, restricting the Wiganers to 78 for 6, both men picking up three wickets.

The score would have been even lower had Fitton not been the victim of powerful hitting in the last over.

Elton's reply, ever-threatened by the unwanted black clouds, was built around Darron Foy's 22.

With everyone contributing to some degree, the Leigh Lane side passed over the line to win by four wickets.

Also, with local results going their way, they managed to extend their advantage at the top to 17 points.

Elton travel to Cross Cup finalists Clifton tomorrow, and then face a potential banana skin game at Adlington on Sunday.

THE club's second string continue to occupy pole position and have also reached their cup final after a 70 runs victory over holders Clifton.