STRETFORD continued their fine form in recording a powerful 122-run victory at Walshaw on Saturday.

From the moment Corey Fagan helped Shabnan Ali's first ball out the ground there was a sense of excitement Stretford could take advantage of a short boundary, solid wicket and a rapid field against previously-beaten opposition.

The visitors piled on runs, Fagan again weighing in with 119 from only 60 balls.

Walshaw simply had no answer to his relentless stroke play as he hit nine fours and nine sixes.

Despite Fagan's fireworks it was fellow Australian country boy Dillen Watson who controlled the remainder of the innings, falling five short of his own richly-deserved century.

Close friends Fagan and Watson have proven a big hit for Stretford and it was fitting they were batting together when Fagan passed 100 for the first time, building a 110-run partnership in the process.

Adding to his half century against high flying Greenfield, Matt Armstrong chipped in with 47 during another 100-run partnership with Watson and provided a welcome return to form for the promising under-19s' captain.

Even the presence of ex-India Test batsman Wasim Jaffer in the Walshaw ranks could not prevent Stretford amassing 316-7.

It was a day to forget for the Walshaw bowlers. Australian Connor Weal took three wickets for a hefty 83 runs and Ali was swatted for 98 off 15 overs.

Only leg spinner Mohammed Khan, who did not play in the previous cup game, returned an economy rate below five runs per over, finishing with 2-65 off 15 overs.

Walshaw showed a distinct lack of intent in their reply, however Stretford's bowlers, especially skipper Benjy Evans, were able to extract more life out of a docile pitch than that of the opposition.

Walshaw slumped to 30-3 with Evans outstanding. Saif Bhojani gloved a rising delivery from Evans behind for a sedate 11, Alex Grant found the leading edge of the dangerous Jack McClung, who was caught at mid-off for 12, and Khan steered a catch to Shabaz Sarfraz at gully off Evans.

Walshaw were now in a massive hole and Jaffer showed his world-class talent in dominating in a 70-run partnership between himself and Liam Greer, who fell for 13.

Wickets tumbled but Jaffer seemed impregnable. He serenely passed his century but Stretford chipped away at the other batsmen, cleverly attempting to starve him of the strike.

Indeed Stretford limited Jaffer to 77 balls but he still had the time to stroke 13 fours and five sixes before holing out to deep mid-wicket for an average-bolstering yet impressive 111 off Grant.

Evans (4-40) was the chief destroyer for Stretford and Grant's purple patch continued as he took 3-49.

The pair have formed a formidable opening partnership and have now taken 25 wickets between them against some quality opposition.

Stretford's second XI lost at home to Dukinfield by 51 runs, however Matt Laker turned in a brilliant all-round performance, taking 6-47 with the ball and scoring 79 runs.

This weekend the first team travel to Heyside and the seconds host Unsworth.