Saturday saw one of the most entertaining games for quite some time when Stand’s first XI hosted Dukinfield.

Stand won the toss and elected to bat first in the warm conditions.

After losing Chris Bullock in the first over to Ridee, Chris Holt and the returning Trent Scott played patiently to get them back on track.

They added a 67-run partnership for the second wicket, by the halfway stage, before a mix up lead to the run out of Holt for 24.

Scott then increased the tempo hitting Ditta for a series of boundaries, before he was adjudged LBW for 47.

This solid start gave Stand’s middle order a platform to build from and they took full advantage, piling into anything short or wayward, whilst pinching singles in the process.

Dave Taylor hit 21, with Stuart Catterall – made for this situation – hitting a 71-ball unbeaten half century.

Carl Sutcliffe added a 12-ball unbeaten 19 including a huge six off the last ball, as they hit 31 from the last two Damien Stringer overs to finish on 181-5.

Dukinfield’s openers found it hard going in reply, and although they put on an opening stand of 50 runs, they struggled to get the run rate up much higher than two an over.

Damien Stringer (19) was the first to go as he caught by Scott off Catterall.

In the very next over, Scott forced a false shot from Hussain (30) who was caught by Sutcliffe, diving forward at cover as the visitors progressed to 60-2 at the halfway mark.

Coulding and Ridee added 36, increasing the ante before Chris Bullock snaffled Ridee (18), caught on the long-on boundary off Catterall.

The same duo combined again in identical fashion four overs later when Coulding (34) was dismissed.

Akram (2) took a wild swing and missed to give Catterall his fourth victim, to leave Dukinfield 125-5 with seven overs left.

However, a cameo dozen from skipper Dave Gandy and some hard hitting from Mark Stringer brought Dukky back into the game.

Nevertheless, Catterall collected his fifth wicket when Gandy was LBW and Scott Butterworth removed Khan, caught by Taylor for only a single.

Going into the last over, to be bowled by Butterworth, the visitors stood on 169-7, requiring 13 for victory.

The first two balls went for singles and then the next two were dot balls with Stringer managing to dig out an excellent yorker.

Stringer then piled into the fifth ball hitting it for six and bringing up his half-century from 36 deliveries.

That left the Tamesiders requiring four off the final ball for a tie or a maximum for victory.

Butterworth held his nerve though, conceding a single to see Stand home by three runs as Catterall ended with 5-61.

The seconds tied the reverse game after they batted first and Matt Holt’s half-century saw them towards what looked like a winning score of 204.

Dukky’s reply went down to the final delivery though with the scores level and one required for victory.

Noman capped off a fine day by bowling the last man to earn Stand three points by picking up figures of 6-42.

The thirds travelled to Stretford where their hosts batted first and compiled 230-7.

That said, an unbeaten 86 from Kieron Wong, 63 from Tom Hughes and an unbeaten 31 from 14-year-old Luke Davison saw Stand home by five wickets and with five overs to spare.

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