AFTER defeating the league leaders last week, Stretford Cricket Club's first team had a nightmare batting performance and failed to chase a 100 target, falling four runs short at South West Manchester.

In a highly-competitive Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Two, there are no teams putting a run of results together and form has not been helped by the wet weather.

Once again on Saturday, the Stretford bowling attack performed well with Thomas Wright having a lively opening spell, taking 3-31 including both openers for ducks.

Ahmad Muhammad again bowled a miserly spell with 4-28 from 15 overs.

The pair were ably supported by veteran Jason Stringer (2-19) and Adrian Holmes (1-19).

South West were 57-8 but Shazad Akbar – the South West number 10 – hit a game-changing 34, taking the final score to 99 and a target well within Stretford’s grasp.

The Stretford innings did not get going as Najeeb Ahmad bowled an excellent spell, finishing with 8-34 as he benefited from being able to bowl extra overs after Stretford received South West’s unused overs.

Stringer top scored with 37 and at 84-6, Stretford looked like limping home.

But Ahmad had other ideas and finished the Stretford innings at 96.

Stretford's second XI suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Friends United.

At 84-2 at drinks, Stretford looked handily placed but stuttered to a below-par total of 132 all out.

Mike King top scored with 47 but it was never going to be enough.

Asim Rafiq again bowled well and finished with three wickets and the Stretford bowlers made it difficult for the Friends' batsmen who eventually won by three wickets with two overs left.

On a brighter note, Stretford Under-19s won at Denton West in the ECB T20 cup on Friday night.

The hosts posted 108-7 with Muhammad, Kamran Hussain and Michael Tresnan all taking two wickets and captain Alex Grant one.

In the reply, Tresnan (39), Grant (37), Thomas Coulson (16) and Ocean O’Malley were the Stretford run scorers in a seven-wicket victory. Their next game is home against local rivals Urmston tomorrow night.

The first XI visit Stand on Saturday, with second team at home to Newton Heath the same day.

On Sunday, the thirds are at home to Farnworth Social Circle and the fourths visit Ashton Ladysmith.