Depleted Long Sutton put in a determined display before eventually losing against high-flying Lincoln Lindum 2nd on Saturday.
Losing the toss, Sutton were inserted into bat on a flat Lindum track and began fairly solidly before Ed Booth (8) was dismissed.
This brought Phil Barnes to the wicket alongside Chris Booth, who pushed the score along before Barnes (18) was removed.
Undeterred, Chris Booth moved past 50 as he was joined by the in-form Paul Edgeller. He played his usual array of shots before a mix-up between him and Ed Booth, who was now running for the injured Chris Booth, led to the former (18) being run out.
Stand-in skipper Adam Wright (2) didn’t get going but Steve Skoulding (16) did manage to support the tiring Chris Booth, who was bidding to bat all the way through.
Jeremy Smith played the supporting role as Booth neared a century, but he eventually fell just short and was bowled for 93.
However, Ian Morris (7 not out) and Smith (1 not out) managed to move the score past 175 to secure a fourth batting point as Sutton posted 182-6 from their 45 overs.
With only ten players and Chris Booth struggling with injury, the visitors knew their total would be difficult to defend.
But they immediately seized the initiative as a fired up Edgeller picked up three wickets in his opening four overs – and when Jake Burton picked up a wicket with his first ball, Sutton were firmly in control.
Their progress was halted by a stubborn stand in Lindum’s middle order though, which threw momentum back the way of the home side.
Burton finished with figures of 1-54 from his allocation but was unable to find another breakthrough, so it required the returning Edgeller to break the partnership. But Lindum were still cruising towards the total as he finished with figures who of 4-37.
Ian Morris (1-52) and Adam Wright (1-41) did take late wickets to panic the home side, but they eventually reached their target with three overs to spare.
Sutton, who are still fifth in the standings, host third-placed Bourne 2nd this Saturday (1.30pm).
