ON Saturday Sutton visited local rivals Rainhill and despite a good fielding and bowling performance left empty-handed with a 19-run defeat.

Phil Frost and Ray Foster took five wickets each as the 'Galacticos' were skittled for just 65, Paul Ford's dogged knock the difference between the two sides.

Sutton 2nd XI entertained Cheshire Lines at New Street in a bid to close the gap on the promotion places. GSB Signs sponsored the game and the club is grateful to Gary for his continued support.

Winning the toss, Sutton elected to field with Lines making slow progress against the openers Dodd and Cunningham. It was Dodd with 2-16 making in-roads that led to the demise of Cheshire Lines supported by Stu Rimmer's 2-9. The visitors completed their innings on 91 all out.

While the weather has been changeable recently, Mick Devereux continues to enjoy his own personal Indian Summer with another half-century. The Widnes Midweek League winner cracked seven fours and a magnificent six in his knock of 54 to break the back of any opposition resistance. He was supported well by Stu Rimmer who had a good day all-round hitting the winning runs with a red inker of 37.

Sutton are now third in the table pushing hard for a promotion place to the top flight of the Merseyside Competition.

On Sunday the 3rd XI played Eccleston with commander Gary Frost at the helm. Electing to bat first Sutton may have thought they could have done better in getting to 112-9 off their 40 overs. Making double figures were Rob Hughes (31), Sephton (32) and Brown (10).

In an exciting climax it was nip and tuck during the Eccleston reply. Jonny Green set the tone by fielding out of his skin, while Tom Sephton used flight and spin to frustrate each Eccleston batsman as they came to the crease ending with 3-26.

As an Eccleston victory looked more on, commander Frost grabbed the ball to take responsibility at the death breaking Eccleston hearts with four wickets to reduce the opposition to 103 all out.