STRETFORD Cricket Club's Adrian Holmes scored a maiden senior century as the first XI moved up to third in Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Two after a double-winning weekend with victories against Wythenshawe and Thornham.

On Saturday, Stretford batted first and opener Holmes scored his ton from 140 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes.

He was ably supported by David Roberts who hit a run-a-ball 36 with four sixes, the dependable Jason Stringer with 31 and the in-form Thomas Wright (32).

Stretford finished on a season-high score of 271-7 from their 50 overs with Sam Grant (5-55) the pick of the Wythenshawe bowlers.

Wright struck early in the Wythenshawe reply having Leonard caught by wicketkeeper Matthew Armstrong.

The second wicket fell at 43 with the dangerous Burrell going for 38, bowled by Ahmad Muhammad.

At 79-2 Wythenshawe looked handily placed, but could not score quickly as Muhammad (4-37) bowled his usual miserly spell supported by Stringer (2-29).

Brad Holmes (1-7) in 5.3 overs and Danie Van Schoor (2-17) kept the pressure on as the innings finished on 131.

The following day, Stretford were again at home in a rearranged game against Thornham.

Wright's pace made early inroads as Thornham were quickly 13-2.

The Stretford bowlers kept the pressure on throughout with Muhammad (1-29) bowling his 15 overs. Captain Van Schoor bowled a long spell finishing with 2-46 and Brad Holmes an economical 1-23 from 10 overs.

But the star of the show was pace man Wright with 4-35, unlucky not to finish with five wickets after a late dropped catch. Thornham finished on 139-8.

Stretford's reply started well with brothers Brad and Adrian Holmes opening up with a 67-run partnership before the latter was out for 31.

At 90-1 the game looked over but two wickets fell at that score and then Stretford had a mid-innings wobble and were 112-6 when Wright and veteran Chris Barlow came together, taking Stretford home with an unbroken 28-run partnership and both finishing on 14 not out.

Meanwhile, the second team bowled Wythenshawe seconds out for 98, winning by seven wickets.

New quick bowler Benji Evans took 4-8 in nine overs to put Wythenshawe seconds firmly on the back foot and they were bowled out for less than 100.

Although losing three wickets in reply, scores in the 20s from Matthew Laker, George Bell, Wasim Zafar and Mike King saw Stretford home.