Big-hitting Sutton claimed the derby bragging rights with an eight-wicket win over Witcham, on Saturday.

Ely Standard: Jordan Emms bowling for Sutton. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGSJordan Emms bowling for Sutton. Picture: BARRY GIDDINGS (Image: Barry Giddings)

The two teams hit almost 500 runs between them in a match where Witcham’s small boundaries proved too tempting to resist for batsmen of both sides.

Keen to set the tone for the afternoon, Witcham batted first and some solid work at the top of the order from Nigel Pate, who hit 40, and Jamie Lawrence, who managed 44, laid the foundation for the innings.

Angus Pate chipped in with a well-made 33 before the fireworks really began with Lourens Herselmann, who bludgeoned his way to 109 in an innings peppered with fours and sixes.

Witcham lost just four wickets as they posted an imposing 244-4 from 40 overs.

With the gauntlet thrown down, Sutton had no choice but to match their hosts, and Mike Vincent and Cornelio De Plessis did just that at the top of the order for Sutton, as they smashed 116 and 57 respectively.

Mike Grady provided valuable support, as he made 50, with some key runs added towards the business end of the innings by James Nuttall.

Sutton lost just two wickets as they reached their target with balls to spare.

Victory puts daylight between Sutton and the relegation zone, while Witcham, who have just a single league win to their name this season, slip further into trouble.

Elsewhere, on Saturday, Sutton II were beaten by six wickets in their clash with Longstanton Grasshoppers II.

A poor start with the bat for Sutton quickly saw them reduced to 34-3, though Craig Faux (43) briefly rallied his side in the middle of the innings.

A much-needed haul of 32 extras pushed Sutton on to 129 at the close of the innings.

Longstanton’s Katie Sperring (3-30) led the attack for the visitors.

Jake Bowles managed 2-16 with the ball in Sutton’s reply but the visitor’s top-order accrued enough runs to put the result beyond doubt. Jack Boston and Craig Faux also picked up a wicket each.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Witcham helped raise £230 for the British Heart Foundation by taking part in the annual Neil Smith memorial cricket match at Haddenham.