FIGHTING Nomansland put up one of their best displays of the season as they lost to Suttoners, the new champions of Regional Division Two West.

The visitors elected to take first knock and got off to an absolute flyer, storming along at seven per over.

Luckily, Nomansland managed to pick up a couple of wickets as they struggled to stay in the game.

Opener Wayne Murry was the main problem for the hosts as he built an excellent innings. The 100 rattled up in the 15th over, but Darren Grayer with 2-40 bowled a tidy ten over spell.

It was the introduction of Kev Hayward into the attack that changed the course of the innings. Playing his first game for three years, Hayward dropped into his rhythm straight away and picked up 4-35 including the vital wicket of Murry for 88.

Suttoners slipped from 155-3 to 177-7, but a father and son partnership between Paul (27 not out) and Harry Rendall (24) saw the visitors past the 200-mark and they finished on 229-9 at tea. Sam Dempster (25) and Grayer (30) gave the home side a good start, and a whirlwind 33 from Terry Harrison, which included four sixes saw the run rate increase. Gary Loveless and Mike Rowland added 54, and with 68 needed from 11 overs a surprise win beckoned.

Loveless then was bowled for 43, and a collapse ensued that ended Nomansland’s hopes. Rowland was last out for a personal best score of 37 as the home side fell short.

Rendall (4-36) and three wickets apiece from Simon Gnad and Derek Hopkins did the business for Suttoners.