SUTTON’S promotion hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday as they lost out by seven wickets to a resurgent Needingworth side.

James Nuttall’s men have been in fine fettle with both bat and ball this season but came up against a buoyant visiting side who have picked up four straight wins to haul themselves off the bottom of the league and back up into mid-table.

Despite the loss, Sutton retained their second place berth in the league, albeit with a reduced advantage over third-placed Longstanton Grasshoppers.

After losing the toss, Sutton were sent into bat first and looked worryingly out of sorts early on as openers Rob Braybrooke (12) and Lloyd Brown (0) were dismissed cheaply.

Things didn’t get much better for Martin Cutherbertson (6) and Laxman Griffin-Singh (7), who came in next for the home side, and they found themselves in some trouble at 52-4 as Needingworth pressed.

The momentum of the innings quickly shifted with the arrival of Cornelio de Plessis and Glen Campbell at the crease though, as the key duo smashed 53 and 67 runs respectively to haul Sutton back into the match.

Campbell’s 11 boundaries proved a particular highlight as the duo helped propel their side on to 171 from just 28.5 overs - a brisk run-rate of six-per-over - before Needingworth wrapped up the innings.

The visitors’ Daniel Sherlock was the outstanding performer with the ball as he picked up 6-56.

An excellent start from James Baldock (46) and Ian Armstrong (37) ensured Needingworth were well and truly in the driving seat in their response, and star-of-the-show Sherlock once again rose to the fore as he smashed 62 runs at number three to help wrap up the win with more than 10 overs to spare.

Sutton will look to get back on track again on Saturday when they take on league-leaders Leverington.