STRETFORD Cricket Club's first XI lost at Wythenshawe in Division Two of the Greater Manchester Cricket League on Saturday on a weekend when only the seconds were victorious,

Batting first, Stretford failed to put any partnerships together, though Adrian Holmes top scored with a classy 55 and Jason Stringer weighed in with 30 as the innings finished on 176-9.

The Wythenshawe reply could not have started any worse for the visitors as the wayward Stretford bowling gave away 17 early extras.

Ahmad Muhammad picked up the wicket of Paul Burrell for 34, but Wythenshawe overseas star Ben Musgrave scored an impressive 89 off 49 balls before being trapped lbw by Bradleigh Holmes.

Shortly after Wythenshawe cruised to victory using just over half the overs.

The second team bowled Wythenshawe out for 119 with Asim Rafiq taking three early wickets and left-arm spinner Mark Stamper taking 5-19.

The Stretford innings started in disastrous fashion with a number of questionable lbw decisions leaving the home side 40-5.

Veteran John Foulkes brought the innings round with a quality 35 before he was given out, caught off his pad, leaving Stretford 80-8 with 15-year-old Joe Weems joining captain Ben Riddell at the crease.

The pair never looked in trouble as they brought the game home through Riddell (25) and Weems (15), leaving the second team unbeaten in the league.

On Sunday, a depleted first team faced Walshaw from the division above.

Despite the excellent early bowling of the experienced Chris Barlow and Stringer, a top-quality Walshaw amassed 288-5 from their 50 overs.

The Stretford reply stuttered early on but Chris Sharp steadied the ship with an impressive 28.

Adrian Holmes and Stringer put together an excellent partnership of 83 and Stretford looked well placed.

Unfortunately for Stretford, they both went within an over with Holmes again top scoring with 43 and Stringer 38.

The Stretford innings fell away and finished on 187 – a creditable performance against a top quality side.

The second team travelled to Roe Green where the home side amassed 274 and a very weak side scored 120 in reply with the highlight being Mark Stamper's 48.

The junior section continued their successful season with the under-15s carrying on their unbeaten run by defeating Ashton on Mersey and Whalley Range.

Meanwhile, the under-13s were victorious against a very strong Didsbury side on Friday night.

There was more good news for the club's junior section with Arran Sen selected for the Lancashire Under-10s squad.

The club are extremely proud of Arran and wish him every success in county cricket.