HEATON captain Gary Garner praised his side’s never-say-die attitude after they beat Walkden to set up a clash with Kearsley in the final of the Peter Stafford Trophy.

The Lower Pools outfit avenged Saturday’s league defeat to Walkden by beating them in Sunday’s semi-final.

It was another low-scoring affair where the bowlers took centre stage.

Tahir Maqsood produced figures of 5-22 with the ball as the Oval outfit bowled their visitors out for 83 – one short of their previous day's total – as Joe Gatenby Brown top scored with 18.

Muhammad Irfan spearheaded the bowling attack in the second innings, taking seven wickets for just 25 runs as Walkden were bowled out for 56.

Heaton skipper Garner said of the win: “It was a good game. It was similar to Saturday really.

"We only got 84 and bowled really well.

"Muhammad Irfan had a great spell and we were just all really on it.

"We took our chances and told our lads never to give up.

"We believed in ourselves and even though we dropped a few catches on Saturday we kept going which was good to see.

“For me, it is good because I will be giving it up at the end of this year so hopefully I can go out on a high.

“I pulled my calf celebrating but I’ll tape it up if I have to for the final.

"It has been a tough season but hopefully, this can be a positive end.”

Kearsley beat Bolton Association Division leaders Daisy Hill to reach the showpiece final.

Dave Mather bowled a four-wicket haul as the St James Street outfit were dismissed for 150 in the first innings.

Chris Baxendale top scored with 44 in reply, as the chase was completed with five wickets to spare.

The final will be played at Farnworth Social Circle’s Piggott Park on Sunday, September 10, and Kearsley skipper Grant Cordin acknowledges his side will go into the clash as favourites.

“It was a pretty straightforward win really,” he said.

“We are probably going to go into the final as favourites now but the games we have lost in the league this season have been against teams near the bottom who we are expected to beat.

“We have to keep our feet on the floor. We have four cup finals now in the league and cup and we have to target to win every one.” 

Meanwhile, in the Cross Cup, Adlington suffered semi-final heartbreak after losing to Clifton.

Professional Majid Majeed scored 69 and Jack Shovelton added 22 as the Huyton Road side posted 174-9 in the first innings.

Rob Lord (4-30) and Andy Lord (3-48) did the damage with the ball.

Adlington drew first blood in the second innings, bowling opener Adam Holt out for just five runs.

But Will Davidson (41) and Gareth Cross (64) put on a 103-run second-wicket partnership to boost the score.

Sam Dorsey (35 not out) and James Evans (14no) then drove the Greater Manchester Cricket League side to a seven-wicket win.

Clifton will face the winner of Walshaw against Roe Green, which takes place on Sunday.

Results

Walkden 56, Heaton 83. Heaton won by 27 runs.

Kearsley 151-5, Daisy Hill 150. Kearsley won by 5 wkts.

Adlington 174-9, Clifton 175-3. Clifton won by 7 wkts.