ATHERTON CC against suffered Cross Cup semi-final disaster as they were heavily beat by Clifton.

Clifton's bowling attack did most of the damage, removing teenage openers Brown and Keegan cheaply before restricting the home side to just 155.

That Atherton total would have been much worse had it not been for the efforts of pro Lee Childs (45) and Philip West (39), who were the only home batsmen to show any authority at the crease.

For Clifton, the bowling of Dave Hamilton (3-25) and Steve Holt (3-23) proved crucial, as they took important wickets and at the same time, kept the run rate down.

Against the disappointing Atherton total, Clifton opener Andrew Griffiths took on the home side's bowling attack, and when he was joined by captain Ian Morris, they eased their way to the target. Griffiths finished on an impressive unbeaten 58, while Morris produced a big-hitting innings of 59

not out.