SUTTON celebrated victory after a remarkable game at Mossley Hill on Saturday.

Sutton were invited to bat on a decent wicket and helped themselves to 185-9 declared, Geoff Bowles leading the way with a fine 78 and John Lawton hitting 21.

Later in the order Steve Brimelow crashed a quickfire 38 not out to ensure Sutton had an early declaration.

The home side's reply was equally positive as the openers put on 50 and when a fine delivery by Ian Greener clean bowled the batsman only to be ruled a no-ball Sutton began to feel it might not be their day.

And when the same player was caught off another deemed no-ball with the score on 70 the gods seemed to have deserted Sutton.

However Sutton stuck to the task and although the first wicket fell at 90 chances were still coming and a breakthrough by Greener suddenly led to a collapse of the home side.

Superb catches by John Lawton boosted Sutton as Mark Reynolds began to trouble the batsmen with his flight and Greener continued to pound away at the other end.

Hogson grabbed a stunning catch at silly mid off and an equally fine effort by Barnett on the boundary saw the last pair at the wicket in the penultimate over.

Reynolds bowled, Keiron Barr whipped off the bails and Sutton had claimed their victory in great style.

Greener (5-63) and Reynolds (5-56) had bowled superbly in the hot sun for 18 overs each and were indebted to some great catching in the field - a super all round effort which could just kick-start the rest of the programme for Sutton.

The seconds were depleted with four of the promising under 15 side in their ranks but still put on a good show before going down in the return at New Street.

Sutton hit just 117 thanks to 37 by Stu Rimmer and 13 from Andy Brogan, but it never looked enough. Rimmer and Jukes were the pick of the bowlers while juniors Ste Moss and Ste Feeney took excellent catches.

Wickets fell regularly but the visitors eventually crept home for eight wickets with time to spare.

The under 15 side are coming on a treat and they had earlier in the week fought out a great game with the established Newton outfit.

Newton were restricted to 83-7 thanks to Gareth Powell's 4-17 and Sutton almost overhauled the Newton lads finishing agonisingly one run short as the overs ran out. Martin Bromley and Darren Dugdale did well with the bat but the lads all performed creditably and for their first season should be very happy with their play.

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