STRETFORD Cricket Club experienced very mixed results last weekend in drastically different games.

The 1st XI travelled to Swinton Moorside on Saturday and were surprised to be asked to bat first.

Opening batsmen Charlie Chan (18) and South African Quintin Marais (24) made a good start before a minor upper order collapse reduced the visitors to 95-5.

Step forward Nick Sharp and captain Chris Barlow, who both entertained with numerous boundary sixes and bolstered the score with a partnership of 79 for the sixth wicket.

Barlow's 36-ball flay earned him 43 runs, while Sharp was dismissed not long after passing the half-century mark for 53.

The tail added little else as Stretford were all out for 196. Ex-South West Manchester fast bowler Arfan Hussain claimed 4-40 in a tight spell while former Whalley Ranger Sabtain Baig took 3-40.

Moorside's innings was reduced by a period of rain at tea but once their reply got under way the weather remained fine for the most part.

Tony Bennett (30) and captain Paul Turner (44) starred in a gutsy fightback from stringent bowling from Marc Taylor and Tam Azam.

Sadly for Swinton, the teams had to leave the field towards the end of the innings twice for bad light and rain, reducing the number of overs that could be received.

The hosts closed on 186-9 and claimed only a losing draw, much to Stretford's delight.

Tam Azam bowled right through a 21 over spell taking 3-78, while Chris Barlow and Martin Kelly each pitched in with two wickets.

The 2nd XI hosted Swinton Moorside and were subjected to a heavy defeat.

Apparently cruising at 89-2 due to Adam Smith's 34 and Dave Bloor's 41, a typical collapse ensued and the team folded to 133 all out.

Chris Worsley (4-17 in 11 overs) and Norman Cunliffe (2-37 in 15 overs) were the damaging bowlers.

The Swinton reply faltered rarely as Jones (56), Hooker (31) and Flatley (29*) racked up the required runs.

The 3rd XI fared no better on Sunday as South West Manchester won by eight wickets.

Stretford's 117 all out included an anchor 33 from Matt Adams and 22 from number ten bat Russ Carson.

Ali, Narayanan and Shahid each took three wickets.

Kevin Rowland (57*) and Ali Khan (43) completed the rout, while David McGuffog and Liam Agnew took the only two wickets.

The 1st XI entertain Winton at Lesley Road on Saturday, with the 2nd XI fixture reversed.