STRETFORD Cricket Club's first XI progressed to the knockout stages of the Greater Manchester Cricket League's Twenty20 competition on Friday with a dramatic three-run victory against Whalley Range.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Stretford skipper Karl Taylor led the line, smashing 22 early on.

With Oral Rankine at the other end, the pair exploded into action with boundaries coming in all areas of the field against all parts of Range's bowling attack.

Rankine soon reached 50 in fine fashion and when Taylor was dismissed after 8.4 overs with the score standing at 113-1, Stretford could not have been happier with their start.

Kiwi Gus Harman took little time getting started, but big hitter Rankine was dismissed six balls later leaving Stretford on 119-2, looking to hit the 200-mark.

With Harman (44) sticking around and others such as Holmes and Sean Chamberlain chipping in, Stretford reached 192-5 after their 20 overs.

Whalley Range wasted no time in trying to mastermind a victory, but after losing opening batsman Ahmed to a run out from Benjy Evans, followed by a second wicket three balls later, they looked in trouble at 30-2.

But with the middle-order proving strong, especially Maqsood (70), Whalley Range pulled themselves back into contention.

With 10 balls remaining, and Range needing 12, Tom Coulson caught Maqsood at deep mid-wicket to leave the game on a knife-edge.

A Harman stumping left Range on 181-7 with just the final over to go.

With under-19 Alex Grant stepping up to make his mark, Whalley Range needed just 12 off the final six deliveries and when the first ball was smashed for four, Stretford looked on in disbelief.

Once again the game changed as from the next delivery, Taylor caught the danger man out at mid-off leaving Whalley Range with just four balls to get eight runs.

With juniors at the crease, they fell short, finishing on 188-9 after their 20 overs.

The result means Stretford join Flixton in the next round and will get a home tie.

A day later, the joy turned to disappointment in Division One as the first XI lost by seven wickets at Heywood.

Batting first, Harman top scored with 30 but the Lesley Road outfit only totalled 131 all out, Simon Dawson taking 4-27 and England international Kate Cross returning figures of 2-18 from eight overs.

In reply, home opener Bobby Cross hit an unbeaten 77 and was helped by Danny Pawson (35 not out) as Heywood reached 132-3 in just over 34 overs, Taylor the best Stretford bowler with 2-39.