Sutton stretched their lead at the top of the Surrey Championship Premier Division to 15 points by thrashing Malden Wanderers before the heavens opened on Saturday, writes Mike Woods.

With the other four fixtures ending in rain-affected draws, it was the perfect day for Sutton to inflict a crushing victory, completed not long after lunch.

Having elected to bat, Malden Wanderers crumbled to 88 all out in 31 overs, having no answer to Sutton’s pace bowlers.

Skipper Phil Sampson took 3-31 off nine overs, taking his tally of wickets for the season to 28, Dave Mitchell took 4-26 off seven overs and Andy Sartor 2-29 off 12 overs. Simon Sweeney, 17, conributed a valuable 1-0 off three overs.

Oly David Horrod (23) provided much resistance before Dave Sampson caught him in the slips off Mitchell’s bowling.

With rain clouds gathering, Sutton wasted no time taking just 12 overs to reach the tally.

Bilal Butt’s 20 took nine balls, Sartor’s 23 not out came off 12 balls while Krishna Dwarker, promoted from the second XI after a string of stirring performances, saw Sutton home with an unbeaten 32 off 39 balls.

With the remaining fixtures reverting to the 50-over-a-side format, Sutton visit Spencer on Saturday.

Club website: suttoncricketclub.com