STRETFORD Cricket Club's first team snatched a one-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Brooksbottom, with the young trio of Ahmad Muhammad, Alex Grant and Thomas Coulson starring.

On a day when only a small number of Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Two games were played due to the horrendous weather, the excellent drainage at Stretford's Lesley Road ground allowed a 40-over game to take place.

After winning the toss Brooksbottom decided to bat and found it heavy going against a top quality Stretford attack. Youngster Muhammad bowled his 12 overs through taking 5-28 as the visitors slipped to 60-6.

The other Stretford bowlers kept the scoring down and the visitors' innings went through a lull finishing on 123-8 at the end of their allotted overs.

The Stretford reply started badly with captain Scott Webb unfortunate to be given out lbw for four.

Adrian Holmes, again batting with consistency, top scored with 25, and at 44-1 Stretford looked set fair.

But wickets fell regularly against the Brooksbottom pace attack who had the benefit of some debatable lbw decisions.

Then, at 80-8 with 44 required to win, 15-year-old Thomas Coulson joined 18-year-old Alex Grant and set about the bowling as the opening bowlers finished their allotment.

At 120, Coulson lost his wicket after scoring an excellent 21.

It was left to new boy Benji Evans, batting with a runner after picking up an injury, to bring the game home for Stretford as they closed on 128-9 with just under three overs to spare.

There is a lot of improvement needed by the team for their trip to Denton on Saturday.

The second team lost their game to the weather and play Denton at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the third team bowed out of the cup, losing to Prestwich 1-0 in a bowl out.