STRETFORD CC kicked off the 2015 cricket season in disappointing fashion in a rain reduced match at Denton on Saturday losing by five wickets.

Stretford duly lost the toss and mustered a workable 157 all out from their allotted 35 overs with anchor man Danie van Schoor (50) and Aravinder Rajeksheaker (25) the main contributors with the bat.

Slow left arm bowler Karl Taylor picked up 6-62 for Denton but the men from Lesley Road were guilty of not converting their starts into meaningful scores.

Conversely, Stretford were unable to apply pressure with the new ball and allowed Denton to score freely.

Jamie Garde helped himself to an unbeaten 60 in guiding Denton home.

Pressure only came when Stretford turned to spinners van Schoor and Steven Green who picked up two wickets apiece however the flow of runs could not be stopped.

Streford will be hoping for an improved performance at home to Glossop and away to Flowery Field on Bank Holiday weekend and welcome back Armad Muhammed to the team who will be looking to better his 50-wicket haul from last season.

Elsewhere, the second team enjoyed a last ball victory in the reverse fixture. Paul Foulkes(62) and the Ben “Heston”Riddell (40) starred with the bat and Rob Nixon picked up his first five wicket haul for the club in a three-wicket victory chasing 207.