Week 11: Sat 28th & Sun 29th June
Match Reports
Woodley (203-8) vs 1st XI (149)
Stretford 1st XI’s impressive four-game winning streak came to an end on a hot afternoon away at Woodley, where the hosts took full advantage of favourable batting conditions to secure a 54-run victory.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first on a good deck, Woodley made the most of the sunshine and firm surface. Their innings was anchored by no.3 Senior, who survived two chances on his way to 62. One chance went down in the slips, the other a sharp return catch back to Syed Haider.
Despite regular wickets, the home side batted with composure throughout, keeping Stretford in the field under testing conditions. A disciplined 50-over effort saw Woodley close on 203/8. Haider led the bowling effort for Stretford with a strong return of 3-49.
In reply, Stretford’s innings got off to a rocky start, collapsing to 36-4. But just as the match appeared to be slipping away, a spirited partnership brought them back into contention. The ever-reliable Tim Boyd, continuing his fine form, notched his third half-century of the season with a well-paced 67. He found a willing partner in Syed Haider, who added 32 as the pair put on a vital 79-run stand to take the score to 115-4.
With the game hanging in the balance, Haider was dismissed attempting to clear the straight boundary, and the momentum began to shift. Boyd followed soon after, holing out to the same fielder who had dropped him the previous delivery – a moment that encapsulated Stretford’s day.
The lower order offered little further resistance as Stretford were eventually bowled out for 149, falling 55 runs short of the target.
A frustrating day for the 1st XI, who showed character but couldn’t quite recover from early setbacks. They’ll be looking to bounce back quickly next week and start building another run of form.
2nd XI (108-3) vs Wythenshawe (104)
Spin To Win For The Seconds At The Boundary
It was a dominant display from Stretford 2nd XI on home turf as they swept aside Wythenshawe with a comprehensive win at The Boundary, thanks to a game-changing spell of spin bowling that ripped through the visitors’ batting order.
On a sweltering afternoon, Stretford’s pace attack toiled hard under the sun, keeping things tight but only managing a solitary wicket in the opening 15 overs. With Wythenshawe looking to build a platform, it was the introduction of spin that completely turned the tide.
Atif Azhar was once again the heartbeat of the bowling unit, producing a sensational spell of 6-19 to dismantle the Wythenshawe middle and lower order. He found excellent support from Kiwi spinner Connor Bliss, whose crafty 3-24 at the other end ensured there was no escape for the visitors. The pair spun a web of control and pressure that Wythenshawe simply couldn’t break free from, eventually bowled out for just 104.
In response, Stretford’s chase was calm and composed from the outset. Openers Dasgupta (18) and Dickman (21) laid the foundation with a steady opening stand, ensuring there were no early alarms. Uwais Siddique (21) kept the scoreboard ticking before Eesa Goga (33*) and Hamza Arif (13*) saw the side home in style, cruising past the target in just 20.4 overs.
A clinical performance all-round from the 2nd XI, with spin the standout weapon in a comfortable victory. Momentum is building nicely at The Boundary as the side continues to grow in confidence week by week and now see themselves third in the league standings.
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