CHINTHAKA Jayasinghe chose the perfect time to hit his highest score for Clifton.

The pro, who had not previously scored more than 50, hit a magnificent 165 not out to lead the club into the Cross Cup final at Atherton on Sunday, August 7.

They will meet Elton, who have belied their lowly league position to put themselves within sight of silverware.

Clifton, who had a good weekend after beating Edgworth 24 hours earlier, passed Astley and Tyldesley's total of 227-2 with an over to spare.

A&T deputy pro Mohammed Hafeez was imperious with an unbeaten 109 and Chris Bullock shone with 70 not out as the visitors started strongly.

But it was not enough to faze Clifton and Jayasinghe who hit 18 fours and seven sixes on his way to scoring the second highest individual score in the history of the competition, just one run behind Tom Boardman of Atherton in 1938 - ironically, also against A&T.

Reigning Association champions Elton, whose poor season continued with defeat by Little Hulton on Saturday, turned their fortunes around as they piled on the misery for Darcy Lever. Darcy saw their hopes of winning the Cross Cup for the time since 1891 ended by the Bury side.

Darcy's problems started immediately when they lost Nick Fawcett to a run out off the second ball of the match.

Things went from bad to worse with pro Devendra Bundela losing his prize wicket with the score on 55-5.

Their roller coaster innings saw them rally with a 51 by David Morris and 33 by Craig Thompson, a partnership of 77, to take the score to 131-5.

But then the last five wickets fell with only one run added to their total. Phil Donnelly took 3-26, Darren Foy 3-30 and Peter Lomax 2-35.

Elton were 36-2 when pro Dexter Fitton and Kevin Hitchen came together and virtually sealed the match. Fitton finished unbeaten on 54 and Hitchen hit a half century.

A few nerves set in when they were reduced to 107-7 but Fitton kept his head and steered his side to victory.