Week 18: Sat 16th & Sun 17th August
Match Reports
Tottington St Johns: 318-8 (R Renforth 5-72)
1st XI: 294 (T Boyd 89, A Saynor 59, B Evans 43, J Blackwell 34*)
Stretford 1st XI endured a rollercoaster afternoon at relegation-threatened Tottington St Johns, falling just 24 runs shy in a pulsating 600-run encounter.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, and Stretford were left to rue a string of missed opportunities as Tottington piled on 318-8 from their allotted 50 overs. Reid was the main beneficiary, riding his luck after being dropped three times on his way to 87. With further chances going begging and some uncharacteristic lapses in the field, it proved a long and frustrating innings for the visitors. The one bright spot came late on, as Robert Renforth found his rhythm to claim a richly deserved first five-wicket haul of the season, finishing with 5-72 from 14 overs.
Set a daunting chase, Stretford responded with renewed belief and fight. Tim Boyd provided the perfect platform, blazing 89 from just 74 balls, including 13 boundaries and three towering sixes, to keep the visitors in touch with the target. When Boyd departed with the score at 170-5, the contest was still finely balanced.
Captain Adam Saynor (59) and the ever-reliable Benjy Evans (43) combined superbly in a 74-run stand, narrowing the target to under 80 with overs still to spare. The equation was tantalisingly close, but as wickets began to fall, the pressure mounted.
Jack Blackwell produced a spirited, stroke-filled unbeaten 34 at the death, but with partners running out, Stretford’s chase was finally halted at 294 – just 25 runs shy of what would have been a remarkable victory.
For a side that has struggled historically in run chases, this effort underlined the growing confidence and belief within the squad. The fight, intent and quality shown throughout suggest that Stretford are more than capable of making a strong finish to the campaign, with four fixtures still to play.
While defeat was a bitter pill after such a courageous performance, this was a contest that showed the side’s resilience, skill, and spirit – and one that leaves plenty of positives to take into the run-in.
2nd XI: 78-7 (E Goga 24*)
Westleigh: 76 (U Hasan 3-19, F March 3-34)
Stretford Edge Past Westleigh in Nervy Clash at Lesley Road
Second-placed 2nd XI were made to work hard for victory against Westleigh in a tense contest at Lesley Road, eventually scraping home by three wickets.
Westleigh, opting to bat first, never found their rhythm as Stretford’s bowlers took control early. Opening duo Usman Hasan (3-19) and Freddie March (3-34) set the tone with disciplined spells, reducing the visitors to tatters. The introduction of spin further tightened the grip, with Arohan Rohra (2-7) proving the pick of the attack, as Westleigh were bundled out for just 76.
What looked a straightforward chase soon turned into a scrap. Stretford’s batting faltered under pressure, wickets tumbling at regular intervals with no one able to settle. At 49-7, the match hung in the balance and an upset seemed very possible.
However, calm heads prevailed. Eesa Goga and James Hepple came together in the middle and steadied nerves with a vital partnership. Showing composure and patience, the pair guided Stretford across the line, securing the win with three wickets to spare.
Though far from their most convincing performance, the result keeps Stretford firmly in the hunt at the top end of the table.
SUNDAY
3rd XI: 96 (P Lambton 20)
Swinton Moorside: 166-8 (K Ninan 3-18, B Siddique 2-13, S Naseri 2-24)
Stretford 3rd XI slipped to defeat against Swinton Moorside in their weekend fixture, falling short by 70 runs in a hard-fought contest.
Batting first, Swinton Moorside posted a competitive 166-8 from their allotted 40 overs. A disciplined spell from Kevin Ninan (3-18) kept Swinton’s total low by picking up wickets at the end. While the other bowlers chipped in to restrict the scoring.
In reply, Stretford struggled to find momentum against tight bowling and regular wickets. Despite a determined effort from Paddy Lambton (20), no batter was able to convert a start into a significant score. The innings ended on 96 all out.
The result leaves Stretford looking to regroup ahead of their next fixture, a T20 v Monton on Bank Holiday Monday. The end of season nears and skipper Lambton is determined to end the season on a good run of form.
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