AFTER Stretford's first XI were called off once again on Saturday and the seconds suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Flowery Field, both the Spitfires and Hurricanes had cup action to look forward to.

With both sides looking to reach the fourth round, the Spitfires played a tricky home tie against Division Five Prestwich thirds.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, acting skipper Ethan Page could not be happier with the start he was given after Renforth dismissed Prestwich opener Kane for a duck with just the ninth ball of the innings.

Spitfires' other opening bowler Mathew Laker also found success early on, claiming two wickets.

Prestwich looked in trouble after seven overs with the score on 24-3.

However, a revival looked under way as the middle-order looked to build a score to chase.

With Prestwich on 120-6 after 22 overs, Paddy Lampton took centre stage for Stretford, bowling an incredible spell of 13 deliveries for just three runs and picking up four wickets.

Prestwich were left to defend a low total after being bowled out for 129.

Stretford spent no time in chasing down the target with openers Laker and George Bell smashing 51 in just 7.3 overs. When Laker did fall to the bowling of Barrow, Nick Walmsley (32) joined Bell (40) to post a 70-run partnership that took Stretford to 121.

However when both batsmen fell in quick succession it was left to young guns Mathew Kilcourse and Alfie Stamper to pilot Stretford Spitfires into the fourth round with a fifth successive win that maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Elsewhere, the Hurricanes had a victory of their own to savour.

After restricting Woodbank thirds to just 176-7 from their allocated 40 overs, Hurricanes looked in trouble when usual run machine Sarfraz was dismissed for just 11.

Hurricanes were happy to see the board at 91-3 after 21 overs and with in form all-rounders Keith Evans and Usman Hassan at the crease they had a chance.

Hassan smashed 60 off just 39 balls and Evans scored a steady 22 off 40 balls as the Hurricanes joined the Spitfires in the fourth round draw.