BLACKROD are through to the Cross Cup final after a comfortable semi-final victory over reigning champions Bury.

The Vicarage Road side defeated their opponents by five wickets to set up a repeat of the 2011 final with Flixton.

Bury started well as skipper Sean Gibson scored 38 and Simon Belston hit 37, but with their team-mates failing to stamp their mark on the game they were capped at 198-8.

Mattthew Stears (3-23), Chris Sanderson (2-25) and Joe Speak (2-35) did the damage with the ball.

In reply, Jack Southworth (76) and Thusendra de Zoysa (65) led their side to victory with the bat, putting on a 135-run partnership for the second wicket to book Blackrod's place in their fifth Cross Cup final.

They will be joined by Flixton following their five-wicket victory at Winton.

Flixton will be gunning for revenge after losing to Blackrod in their only other final appearance in 2011.

The Lawrence Road side had their deputy professional Usman Tariq to thank as he starred with both bat and ball.

Richard Johnson (37) and Kyle Humphrys (29) were Winton's top scorers as they were bowled out for 138.

Tariq was the pick of the bowlers for Flixton, posting figures of 4-15.

When Flixton's leading run-scorer Luke Perry was bowled out in the first over, their task suddenly looked a little more difficult.

But that was before Tariq came to the crease.

He blasted his way to 90 not out and in doing so cemented Flixton's place in the final.

The Cross Cup showpiece is due to be played on Sunday, August 9, with the venue still to be confirmed.

Results

Bury 198-8, Blackrod 202-5. Blackrod won by 5 wkts.

Winton 138, Flixton 139-5. Flixton won by 5 wkts.