STRETFORD CC’s Under 15s who have swept the board, winning three trophies and remaining unbeaten all season.

Five of the team, wicket-keeper Matthew Armstrong, death bowler Ethan Page and all-rounders Yash Raj, Tom Coulson and Joe Weems, represented the inter league team, while spinner Ahmad Muhammad was a regular for Lancashire Under 15s and also represented the North of England at the prestigious Bunbury Festival. Muhammad and Armstrong, who hit 274 runs at an average of 34.8 and kept immaculately, were also regulars for the senior Stretford first team.

The side cruised to the league title with a game to spare, defeating Woodbank by 44 runs with Coulson following up his undefeated 40 with 2-19, before celebrating in style with a 10-wicket hammering of Prestwich where Muhammad and skipper Matthew Laker hitting 42 and 39 not out.

The team were only pushed close on one occasion in the league, sneaking home against Woodhouses by just six runs, Under 13 prospect Danny Martin combining with Page to close the game out.

After romping to the league the team then took the cup, defeating Flowery Field by 14 runs in the final in a solid all round performance.

On their way to the final Stretford saw off Denton West, Dukinfield and Prestwich and it was the latter who gave the lads their hardest test of the season.

Struggling at 35-4 with just seven of their 20 overs to go, Stretford looked in real trouble but Weems (24 not out) and Coulson (30) combined to drag the side to a more respectable 91-7. With Prestwich having several players on the fringes of the county team the lads were still up against it but a magnificent team display, spearheaded by Raj’s opening spell of 3-5, saw the boys get home by 11 runs.

On to the play off final then for the clean sweep and this time Glossop were put to the sword with Stretford making light of the absence of four key players including Muhammad, picked to play a year up for Lancashire Under 16s, and Raj Weems again stepped up making 34 and Laker took 5 for 11 to bring his haul to 21 for the season and clinch the treble. Coach Steve Jones praised the lads saying “The junior set up at Stretford is very strong and this is the third year running the Under 15s have won the league. This was a young but talented side and almost all these lads will still be eligible for next year’s team: they’ve been a credit to the club and deserve their success.”