ON the final day of the season Sutton failed to produced the sparkle that took them to runners-up spot in the Merseyside Competition.
Visitors Ainsdale knocked up 202-9 declared on one of the flattest tracks in the league.
Sutton's response hardly got out of first gear, but in reaching 104 all out, they ensured enough bonus points for their highest league placing in a long time.
In the reverse fixture, Ainsdale decided to bat and took no time in hammering some pretty indifferent bowling to all parts of the ground to declare on 181-2.
After a rallying call from the skipper, Sutton's batsmen rose to the occasion and a maiden half century from Eric Lanchin, coupled with a patient 39 from Steve Burrows put the New Street side within sight of victory.
Young Les Yates, making his debut, put up good resistance to the tricky Ainsdale attack. In the final few overs a rash shot by skipper Reynolds condemned Sutton to defeat by 14 runs.
All players and associates are now looking forward to the presentation evening on Saturday October 2.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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