CLIFTON have to pick up the pieces after another chance of silverware passed them by last week.

The defeat by Walshaw in the Cross Cup was the third time they have lost in the final of the Association's premier trophy in four years.

"It's getting a bit much now," said first team player Ian Morris.

"You don't mind losing once, but three times in quick succession takes some getting over.

"But we will. It will be difficult, but we still have a Lancashire Knockout place to play for, and I think we really deserve to get into that."

Even so, that task will not be made any easier tomorrow by the fact that they have to face their conquerors in last week's final, Walshaw.

Yet Ian Morris suggests the side should take heart from the fact that they matched the Bury side in a lot of ways in the final, and that Clifton lost it, rather than Walshaw winning it.

"We had a good start, but let them off the hook and in the end gave them too many runs. Then, when we batted, we never put any partnerships together.

"What is really frustrating, though, is that we know we could have beaten them. It was disappointing, but we've just got to keep going."

They will be looking for better batting than last week when Geoff Griffiths showed the way with a knock of 30 but nobody could stay with him.

Clifton are currently in mid-table in the Association and could have been better than that, had they been able to keep a settled side through the season.

"Really we were without two senior players for much of the time, because Mark Gardner and Robin Jackson could only play one match a week because of work commitments.

"That meant we were continually changing the side, which is not the best thing to do.

"Championship-winning sides usually use about 12 or 13 players all through the season.

"We have been playing with about 16 or 17 players and that doesn't give you any continuity at all."

At least Ian is still in with a chance of some glory this season, as the under-11 side that he looks after are through to the semi-finals of the Lancashire championships.

After winning tournaments at Darcy Lever and Eccleston, the side has been representing the Association in the knockout competition, and last week beat Southport and Birkdale to reach the last four.

In the semi-final they have been drawn against Penwortham from the Palace Shield League, and, hopefully, they can do what the seniors have failed to do over the last four years and put some silverware in the Clifton trophy cabinet.

Back to the chase for the first team title, leaders Elton have to go to Astley & Tyldesley tomorrow, while second placed Darcy Lever go to Little Hulton, and third placed Atherton entertain Standish.

With only six points separating the top two, and Atherton having a game in hand, none of them can afford to slip.