WALSHAW claimed the Cross Cup after a spirited innings by captain Anthony Harris helped wipe out a horrendous start against Clifton.

Last year's champions were almost down and out at 13-3 after nine overs.

Although there was something of a partial recovery, they were still deep in trouble at 90-6 as David Hamilton put Clifton on top with 3-36.

It looked as if Clifton were going to make up for defeat in last season's final. But when Harris came to the wicket, Walshaw finally started to get on top of the bowling.

The captain, who has been batting down the order after breaking a finger earlier in the season, plundered runs at every opportunity.

He linked up with Liam Riley and the pair put on 30, which gave the Bury side a score to defend.

Riley was out for 28, but Harris defied the bowlers and occupied the crease until the end of the overs for his vital 47 runs.

That helped Walshaw post a total of 172-9.

On what looked a decent track, the total looked attainable by the Clifton batsmen, who only needed to score at a fraction over three an over.

Yet they were never able to occupy the crease long enough to get into any kind of scoring rhythm.

The Walshaw bowlers took wickets at regular intervals with Danny Hornby leading the way with 4-26.

Geoff Griffiths did his best to keep Clifton in the game with a knock of 30 but Rob Faulkner's economical bowling of 1-17 off ten overs and Jonathan Fielding's haul of 3-21, were instrumental in leaving them behind the run rate.

It was only when final pair of Mark Wolstenholme and Rob Jackson came together that Clifton started to play the right type of game.

They began taking quick runs with intelligent running between the wickets rather than risking wickets with big hits. But by then, it was all far too late.

In the end, they were all out for 143 with Harris taking the man of the match award.