Wilburton muscled out by experienced Sutton

Wilburton CC V Sutton CC, Wilburton bowler Marcus Brook (Image: Archant)

Wilburton CC V Sutton CC, Sutton batsman Michael Brady (Image: Archant)

An opening stand of more than 120 from Sutton duo Mike Grady and Cornelio De Plessis put the visitors in a commanding position, with Wilburton’s young team unable to match Sutton’ exploits with the bat.

The season-opening win puts Sutton right up among the leaders on 20 points while Wilburton salvaged six points in defeat.

Put in to bat first, Sutton opener Grady quickly got into his stride, hitting five boundaries on his way to 40. At the other end, De Plessis (81) clattered seven fours and three sizes in a bruising stay at the crease.

Further down the order, young Ryan Bowles hit four boundaries on his way to a notable 28 while the experienced Glen Campbell hit 37 in double quick time as the pair added 66 runs in just half-an-hour.

Wilburton used six bowlers in the efforts to keep a lid on the scoring, with Steve Marshall (3-40) and Richard Padmore (2-36) enjoying the most successful spells. Sutton posted 225-7 at the close.

A required run-rate of more than five-and-a-half an over was a tall order for the hosts and their task became that little bit tougher when openers Ben Nightingale (3) and Marcus Brook (7) fell cheaply in the opening overs.

Number three Tom Walker (14) put up determined resistance before brothers Ryan and Lee Newton attempted to lead the Wilburton fightback, adding 42 to the score.

Ryan hit 15 while Lee, who hit eight boundaries, posted 53.

The duo hadn’t reckoned with a late flurry from Sutton’s Grady however, the paceman ripping through the middle order in a highly effective seven-over spell that yielded four wickets. De Plessis (2-26) and Ren Barnard (2-19) also found form with the ball.

Richard Padmore (13*) and Marshall (10) performed stoutly at 10 and 11 but they were dismissed with the score on 151, handing Sutton a comfortable win.