SUTTON travelled to Southport in the heat of the weekend, attempting to start a winning run that could save them from the dreaded drop.

Skipper Barr once again lost the toss in a losing run that defies belief. Southport chose to bat and Sutton had to quickly turn to spin on the unpredictable Southport Trinity track to make a breakthrough.

Bowling nearly 50 overs in under 3 hours, Sutton took wickets regularly, Reynolds placing his fielders with care to land a five wicket haul and Tamhane taking three at the other end. Phil Frost tidied up the tail in his controlled spell.

Sutton knew that Trinity's over rate would be slow and that chasing the 193 all out could be a tough task but by no means impossible.

Sutton's reply got off to a bad start as Anders felt the worst of the wicket for his premature dismissal, sadly others followed in the same manner with only Rimmer (28) and Tamhane (33) giving the sunkissed spectators any entertainment early on.

The middle order proved sterner this week with Barr and the Frost brothers steering Sutton closer to victory.

Frost and Gavin amazingly forced the pace to leave Sutton requiring 14 off the 35th and final over, went for it right until the total was out of range leaving Frost to bat out for a useless draw.

Sutton now know that only victories in their final few games can ensure that the drop can be avoided.

The 2nd XI basked in the sun at New Street facing a belligerent Old Xaverians who came to sunbathe rather than partake in a contest.

Batting first Sutton are becoming pleasingly predictable with Les Yates and Mark Sephton racking up the runs once again.

Both took advantage of the Old Xavarian 'attack' with Yates falling 8 runs short of a century with a magnificent 92, with Sephton only five runs behind on 87.

Both surely must now be knocking on the 1st XI door. The rapid run gathering of this prolific pair allowed captain Andy Rimmer to declare after only 33 overs on 219 for 3.

Sutton threw the kitchen sink at the opposition, but they decided from ball one that the total was out of reach. John Allanson could only manage to shift four of the cement footed batsmen, Ikin taking the other two as Sutton resorted to throwing the ball higher to make the Liverpool outfit commit cricketing suicide.

Sadly for Sutton, their plan to kill the game succeeded and a turgid affair came to a close with the visitors ending on 113 for 6.