STRETFORD Cricket Club's first team fell to a heavy defeat at Denton on Saturday in Greater Manchester League Division Two, but the second team kept their unbeaten league run going, beating Denton's second team at Lesley Road.

The third and fourth teams both had excellent victories on bank holiday Monday against Worsley and South West Manchester respectively.

The first-team bowlers toiled away against an aggressive Denton batting line-up, with Muhammad Ahmad (2-50) bowling 15 overs unchanged.

Brad Holmes pitched in with excellent figures of 3-32 from nine overs, while Alex Grant (one), Danie Van Schoor and Jason Stringer (two each) picked up the other wickets as Denton were bowled out for 213.

Missing leading run scorer Adrian Holmes, the Stretford reply did not get going after Sharp fell for a run-a-ball 21 out of an opening partnership of 22.

They struggled to 90 all out in 39 overs which included a 23-run partnership for the final wicket between 17-year-old Michael Tresnan (12) and Thomas Coulson (10 not out).

The second team performed well at home with the welcome return of young quick bowler Sarmad Zafar after a horrific thumb injury and latterly his studies.

Zafar took 5-33 and was ably supported by 15-year-old Joe Weems who took 3-12 and Mark Stamper (2-18) as Denton's innings finished on 144.

The first four Stretford batsmen made good starts but were out in the twenties – Matthew Laker (23), Matthew Armstrong (22), Asim Rafiq (29) and Stamper (24).

Stretford appeared in control despite losing three wickets for one run and Weems and Zafar saw them home for a three-wicket victory.

Saturday sees the first team at home to Westleigh and the seconds away at Bolton Indians first team, while on Sunday the thirds are at home to Winton and the fourths travel to Wythenshawe.