After a momentum-halting defeat at home to Golborne the previous weekend, Stretford 1st XI travelled to Prestwich 2nd XI looking to steady the ship and return to winning ways. Facing a side just one place below them in the table, this was a crucial clash — and Stretford rose to the occasion with a composed, all-round performance to secure a much-needed victory.
Prestwich won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision they quickly came to regret as Stretford’s dynamic new-ball pairing of Benjy Evans and Robert Renforth wreaked early havoc. Evans struck with the second ball of the innings to set the tone, and with the scoreboard reading 17-3, the visitors had seized the initiative. Both openers claimed two wickets apiece — Evans finishing with 2-28 and Renforth 2-38 — in another dominant display with the new ball.
Prestwich attempted to rally, grinding their way past the 100 mark, but any hopes of a substantial total were dashed by the introduction of spin. Niall Heyes (3-32) and Syed Haider (2-30) combined to run through the lower order, closing out the innings with the hosts bowled out for 141.
Stretford’s reply began solidly, with openers Ollie Barrett and Ramesh Perera putting on 31 before Perera fell for 8. That brought in leading run scorer Tim Boyd, who continued his strong form, crafting a fluent 40 in a 66-run stand with Barrett to put the visitors firmly in control.
Although Boyd eventually departed, the target was never in doubt. Barrett anchored the innings with great discipline, carrying his bat for a composed 43* from 111 balls. He was joined late on by Syed Haider, who added the finishing touches in style, striking 14 runs in just five balls to see Stretford home with plenty to spare.
A clinical, professional performance across all departments saw the 1st XI return to form and claim a deserved win — a strong response after last week’s disappointment and a timely boost as they continue to push forward in the league.
2nd XI: 124-5 (P Aqeel 37, A R Butt 32)
Woodhouses: 121 (U Hasan 4-44, F March 3-24, P Malindi 3-25)
Six on the Spin: Stretford 2nd XI March On with Dominant Win Over Woodhouses
Stretford 2nd XI extended their incredible winning run to six matches on Saturday with another assured and dominant performance, this time dispatching Woodhouses at home to strengthen their grip on the promotion places.
The visitors won the toss and opted to bat, but quickly found themselves on the back foot as opening bowler Usman Hasan tore through the top order. Bowling with pace and purpose, Hasan claimed 4-44 in a hostile 14-over spell, surpassing the 30-wicket mark for the league season — a deserved milestone in a standout campaign. He was well supported by fellow seamers Freddie March (3-24) and Pares Malindi (3-25), who maintained the pressure and shared the remaining wickets to skittle Woodhouses for just 121 inside 40 overs.
Another clinical and well-disciplined display with the ball, built on aggressive intent and tight lines, left the hosts with a manageable target.
In reply, Stretford looked in control early on. After the loss of an early wicket, a 63-run partnership between Ali Raza Butt (32) and Pavail Aqeel (37) laid a solid platform. Both batters looked composed and positive, steering the side towards victory with fluency.
However, after Butt’s dismissal at 73-2, a brief middle-order wobble saw Stretford lose three quick wickets, slipping to 106-5 and injecting some late drama into the chase. But the nerves were calmed by junior Oliver Cook. His composed 19 off 34 balls steadied the ship, and with Sagar Loomba (6*) offering calm support, the pair guided the hosts to their target without further damage.
A nervy finish perhaps, but yet another deserved win for a side playing with confidence, consistency, and belief. With six victories in a row now under their belt and the promotion push gathering momentum, Stretford 2nd XI look like a side determined to finish the season in style. Next up in the 2nd XI’s wake, the league leaders Clifton.
SUNDAY
3rd XI: 118 (L Dickman 30)
Astley & Tyldesley: 119-2
Stretford 3rd XI Fall in Sunday Plate Semi-Final Against Astley & Tyldesley
Stretford 3rd XI’s impressive GMCL Sunday Plate cup run came to a difficult end on Sunday as they were outplayed by a strong Astley & Tyldesley side in the semi-final at home. Despite the result, the young team can reflect on a spirited journey filled with promise, character, and clear signs of a bright future.
Batting first, Stretford struggled to put together a commanding total, eventually being bowled out for 118. Under 15’s Lucas Dickman provided the backbone of the innings, showing grit and composure to top-score with 30 at the top of the order. Unfortunately, he found little support around him. A few batters made starts, but none were able to go on and build the kind of innings needed to lift the total to a more competitive score. The home side knew they were under par, but not without hope — especially with a hungry young bowling attack and the backing of a supportive home crowd.
Defending a modest total, Stretford got off to the dream start. In the very first over, Alfie Carson struck and Max Skuse held on to a sharp catch — Astley & Tyldesley 2-1 and a flicker of belief surged through the side.
However, Astley & Tyldesley’s batters at 2 and 3 dug in and took control, combining for a 102-run partnership that slowly but surely took the game away from the hosts. Despite continued effort and heart from the Stretford bowlers, the visitors reached the target with 20 overs to spare and 8 wickets in hand — a clinical chase that sealed their place in the final.
It was a tough defeat to swallow, but one that shouldn’t overshadow what has been a magical cup campaign for the 3rd XI — a side built on youth, energy, and potential. The experience will no doubt serve them well as they turn their attention back to the league, with valuable lessons learned and belief still intact.
The cup run ends, but the journey is far from over.
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