Week 21: Sat 6th & Sun 7th September
Match Reports
Wythenshawe: 67 (R Perera 4-1, R Renforth 2-4, S Haider 2-14)
1st XI: 68-1 (A Raza Butt 35*, T Boyd 19*)
Stretford 1st XI close in on promotion with emphatic win
Already-relegated Wythenshawe offered little resistance as Stretford 1st XI put last week’s rain-affected frustrations firmly behind them, cruising to a nine-wicket victory on Saturday.
The bowlers wasted no time in asserting control. The reliable opening strike pairing of Benjy Evans (1-14) & Robert Renforth (2-4) put the visitors firmly on the front foot after the skipper won the toss putting Wythenshawe into bat. Syed Haider (2-14) followed up through the middle order before Ramesh Perera (4-1) was near unplayable using the facilities to spin through the rest of the order including a triple wicket maiden. Wythenshawe all out for just 67.
Chasing was a formality. Ali Raza Butt got quickly to work playing with authority to flash an unbeaten 35 off 32, supported by Tim Boyd with 19*, as Stretford eased to 68-1 and secured six crucial points.
That win edges Stretford to the brink of Division 1 cricket — but a final-day showdown at home to Woodley will be the decider. The visitors sit fifth but still have promotion hopes of their own: victory over Stretford, combined with an Adlington slip, could send them up instead.
With everything to play for, Saturday promises to be a high-stakes clash.
2nd XI: 243-6 (P Aqeel 87*, A Rohra 67, J Hepple 25)
Blackley: 65 (H Sadat 5-21, C Bliss 4-1)
Stretford 2nd XI seal promotion in style
Stretford 2nd XI clinched promotion to Division 5 with a commanding performance against Blackley, in their first promotion season since 2016.
Batting first, Stretford piled on the runs to post 243-6. Arohan Rohra laid the platform with a fluent 67 opening up, before Pavail Aqeel stole the show with a brilliant unbeaten 87. He was well supported by James Hepple (25) as the hosts built an imposing total.
Any hopes of a Blackley chase were quickly extinguished by a ruthless Stretford bowling attack. Hilal Sadat tore through the order with figures of 5-21, his first five-fer for the 2nd XI. He’s never too far from the wickets is captain Connor Bliss and he produced another devastating spell of 4-1. Blackley were dismissed for just 65, sealing a 178-run victory.
The result confirms Stretford 2nd XI’s long-awaited promotion — their first in nine years — a landmark moment and a fitting reward for a season of hard work, togetherness, and quality cricket.
SUNDAY
Blackley: 85 (P Lambton 3-20, A Carson 3-34)
3rd XI: 87-4 (L Dickman 36)
Stretford 3rd XI ease past Blackley in penultimate clash
Stretford 3rd XI claimed a comfortable six-wicket win over Blackley in their penultimate outing of the season, underlining their ability to finish the campaign on a positive note.
The bowlers did the early damage, with captain Paddy Lambton (3-20) and Alfie Carson (3-34) leading the charge as Blackley were restricted to just 85 all out. Tight spells and steady pressure ensured wickets fell at regular intervals.
In reply, Stretford kept their chase measured. Despite a few setbacks, Lucas Dickman stood tall as he has all season with a composed 36 and surpassing 300 3rd XI runs for the season. Guiding the side to 87-4 and wrapping up victory with plenty in hand.
The result leaves the 3rd XI firmly in 5th place in the table. The focus now is on finishing strongly — taking pride into 2026 and setting sights on pushing higher up the league next season.
Stayley: Did Not Bat
4th XI: 23-2
Rain was the victor in this fixture as a torrential downpour just after the games beginning scuppered any hopes of late summer cricket.
Two fixtures remain for the 4th XI. Next week Edenfield are welcomed to The Boundary.
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