WALSHAW reached the semi-final of the Cross Cup on Sunday with a golden-over victory against Eagley.

After the game ended in a tie with both teams scoring 185, the place in the last four of the competition had to be decided by a six-ball showdown in which both teams had one over to score as many runs as they could.

In contrast to how close the match had been, the golden over was a one-way affair with Walshaw scoring six runs and home side Eagley failing to register a single run.

Greater Manchester League Premier Division side Walshaw batted first and posted 185-6 from their 45 overs.

Bolton League Premiership team Eagley were then on the same score when they lost their last wicket, taking the match to the golden over.

Organiser Eric Hogg said: “The game was played in the right spirit – the Sunday spirit, not the Saturday spirit – with both teams getting on and the umpires enjoying it.”

Mr Hogg has brought back the oldest cup competition in Lancashire this year with help from some of the executive committee of the Bolton Association which staged it from its formation in 1889 to entering into suspension when they lost all their clubs in 2015.

Fifteen former Association clubs entered with Walshaw the first to reach the last four.

They will be away in the semi-final to the winners of Roe Green v Flixton.

The other semi-final will see the winners of Adlington v Edgworth at home to the winners of Clifton v Little Hulton. The final will be staged at the ground of one of the finalists, with the venue decided by the toss of a coin.