ATHERTON CC continue to chase Bolton Association glory on two fronts.

They closed in on league leaders Elton with a comprehnsive victory over struggling Golborne on Saturday and backed it up the next day with an equally emphatic win over Edgworth in the quarter-finals of the Cross Cup.

On Saturday Atherton were given an helping hand when the Golborne Captain Graham Marston won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket which looked very bowler friendly.

It didn't take long to make early inroads into the Golborne batting line up, and after 20 overs they had managed only 50 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

While wickets were falling at regular intervals, Golborne's professional Shah was still at the crease, but he to looked very uncomfortable, and found it hard to get on top of the bowling. Golborne were finally bowled out in the 45th over for just 119, with Shah finishing unbeaten on 65. Wickets were shared between Childs 4-48, Nuttall 3-32 and Baines 2-23.

When Atherton batted it was important they didn't become complacecent, as in the past when chasing low scores things haven't always gone to plan. Atherton did suffer the early loss of Karl Brown for 10 but that was the only blip as once again Atherton raced to victory by the 35th over for the loss of only two wickets with both Wakefield and once again Bannister finishing unbeaten on 38 and 28 respectively.

Sunday's game followed a similar pattern from the game the day before with Edgworth winning the toss and electing to bat.

Once again the wicket proved to be very helpful for all bowlers and at the halfway stage Edgworth were struggling on 45 for 5, they did finally muster together 121 runs, but this didn't look like it would be enough against a strong Atherton side. Wickets were shared between all bowlers, Walsh 3-31, Childs 1-13, Nuttall 1-9, Baines 1-21, Charlson 1-11 and K. Brown 1-15.

Atherton, in reply, found life difficult early on against the bowling of Edgworth pro Syddall, losing the wicket of Keenan third ball without scoring. Wakefield shared in a partnership of 58 with Brown until he was out when looking well set for 21. Brown soon past 50 and along with Bannister led the side home to another comfortable victory after just 26 overs. Brown finished unbeaten on 68 along with Bannister who made 18.

Atherton will face Clifton in the semi final at Higham Park on June 27, hoping for revenge after last year's disappointing loss at the same stage.