STRETFORD'S bowlers played their part as the first XI beat Radcliffe in Greater Manchester Cricket League Division Two.

The Lesley Road side batted first but early wickets saw veteran Chris Sharp and captain Danie Van Schoor fall for four and five respectively.

When the dangerous Adrian Holmes went for 26, Stretford were tottering at 39-3.

Australian David Roberts tucked into the bowling, scoring all around the wicket, and he was ably supported by Jason Stringer.

The partnership was 86 when Roberts chased a wide ball and was caught behind for a quickfire 62.

Stringer went straight away for 14, followed by Ocean O’Malley for three, as 125-3 quickly became 129-6.

Brad Holmes and Thomas Wright – both 20-year-olds – came together and put on a solid 40 before Holmes was out for 14.

Wright was left high and dry on 41 not out as Alex Grant (14), Armstrong (seven) and Ahmad Muhammad (one) lost their wickets.

Although 219 was not a bad score the innings finished seven overs early and these were added to Radcliffe’s overs, meaning they needed 220 in 57 overs.

Radcliffe attacked the seam of Wright and Grant from the off, with Muhammad bowling a miserly early spell from the other end.

Muhammad finished his spell with 4-53 and Van Schoor 3-55, but at 157-6 with plenty of overs left, the game was in the balance.

Van Schoor turned to left-arm spinner Holmes who dismissed the dangerous Coates for 35 and finished the game with two wickets in two balls, Stretford winning by 48 runs.

The second team scored a mammoth 325-7 at Ashton Ladysmith with 13-year-old opener George Bell scoring 63 out of an opening partnership of 89 with 16-year-old Matthew Laker, who was eventually out for 41.

Bambi Zafar followed his 89no last week with another 50 and 15-year-old Thomas Coulson finished two short of his 50 on 48no.

The Ashton innings did not really get going as they were bowled out for 103, 17-year-old Daud Muhammad taking 3-32, Mark Stamper (3-17), Mike King (2-11) and Ben Riddell (1-6) as Streford ran out winners by 222 runs leaving them second in the table.

The Stretford Spitfires defeated Wythenshawe in a hard-fought contest at Longley Lane.

The hosts scored 96 from their 20 overs and Stretford’s reply started terribly, falling to 23-4.

Only Ryan O’Brien stood firm and eventually retired for 52.

Laker held the rest of the batting together and scored the winning runs with three balls to spare.

This means the Spitfires go unbeaten and top their group. The squad now move onto the next phase of the competition for all Lancashire.