SUTTON must have thought they stood a real chance of improving a depressing Wynn Cup final record when they reduced holders Bingley Congs to 49-5 in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League's blue riband event at Bradley.

Justin Holdsworth (10-3-20-4) made the early inroads, backed up by sharp fielding, exemplified by Paul Williams taking an excellent low catch in the gully to dismiss Tony Leighton before he had scored.

The south Craven side also had a bit of luck, such as when Andy Copping was caught in the slips by Johnny Wilkinson off a deflection from keeper Chris Williams, who then stumped Mohammad Adil off his pads.

But, thanks to a sixth-wicket stand of 72 between man of the match Danny Pearson, who hit six fours and a six in his 50, and keeper Chris Dibb, whose 31 contained five fours, Congs mounted a comeback.

Wickets then fell with regularity, James McDonald (3-39) and Chris Walker (2-28) helping to restrict Congs to 164.

Sutton's innings followed a similar pattern, and they were 62-5 before being revived by a partnership of 46 between skipper Craig Thornton (16) and Richard Walker (26).

However, thanks to two miserly spells by medium-paced left-arm spinner Neil Copping (9-2-17-5), backed up by skipper Adie Dibb (1-9), Adil (1-24) and Harry Greenhalgh (0-25), Sutton were behind the run rate, and pace bowler Matty Roberts (3-37) cleaned up the tail to leave Congs winners by 40 runs, Greenhalgh also showing a safe pair of hands in the outfield to take three catches.

Thornton said: "Danny Pearson played absolutely superbly from 49-5 on what was a slow wicket, and he was the only batsman in the match to make 50."

Josh Nutting, who set the tone in the field for Congs with some diving stops in the covers, said: "Danny Pearson and Chris Dibb pulled our innings round for us, and the only time I was worried was when Neil Copping dropped Ryan Ridehalgh in the gully early on because he can bat."