SUTTON CC suffered another blow when they were beaten at Bromborough on Saturday.

The Bromborough wicket was damp and uneven and the home captain had no hesitation in asking Sutton to bat.

Runs were at a premium as the ball popped and shot around.

Sutton built slowly as Dave Hodgson (19), Brian Wearden and Geoff Bowles dug in.

A quickfire 22 by Sean Anders saw Sutton at 69-4. But the later order were unable to make any headway and the innings subsided to 81 all out after 53 grim overs.

Sutton's spirit is not in doubt and after tea they pressurised the home side with good bowling by Andy Barnett (4-40) and Dave Ashurst which put them in with a shout as the home side reached 38-4.

But Alan Hawksett chanced his arm to hit 36 not out and won the game for Bromborough.

He profited from a dropped catch -which was the turning point -and although Sutton took two more wickets, the Wirral side completed the win at 82-6 in 34 overs.

The seconds lost the return in a last-over thriller at New Street.

Sutton took first strike on a good wicket and made 158 all out in 47 overs.

The evergreen John Lawton made a fluent 53 and Kieron Barr contributed 40.

The middle order sagged after this good start, but a careful 20 by the reliable Ken Fargher ensured a respectable score.

Bromborough were always positive in reply, but were pegged back by am 2-30 spell from Eric Lanchin.

Skipper Jeff Pye spun out three victims, but the visitors pressed on and although Stu Rimmer claimed two late wickets, Bromborough reached victory on 159-8.

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