ON Saturday Sutton CC first XI hosted high flying Birkenhead St Mary's at New Street.

Sutton batted first but were always struggling against the pace attack of Nawaz and Griffiths and were bowled out for only 82, with Steve Weardon top scoring with 45.

Birkenhead were 43-5 at one stage, but chasing a small target were always the likely winners and they did by five wickets with Ray Foster taking 4-35.

Sutton's seconds also batted first at Birkenhead, but fared much better.

Geoff Bowles (68), Gary Frost (42), Eric Lanchin (40) and Gary Greener (36) were the chief run scorers as Sutton hit 213-4 declared in 47 overs. Lanchin, with 5-8, Andy Gordon 2-12 and Dave Laithwaite 2-13, helped bowl the opposition out for only 46 to give Sutton victory.

On Sunday the thirds played Earlestown at New Street. Sutton bowled Earlestown out for 64 with Danny Appleton taking 4-9.

Over confidence did not help Sutton as they scraped home by two wickets with Phil Frost being the pick of the batsmen.