Sutton CC skipper David Mitchell praised his side after they got off the mark in the Premier Division of the Surrey Championship thanks to a batsman turned bowler, and a brace of half-centuries.

The opening weekend’s clash at Spencer was abandoned, but Sutton made the most of Saturday’s sunshine to beat Weybridge by six wickets at Cheam Road.

Sutton put the visitors into bat, and Surrey CCC opener Arun Harinath took 3-29 as they carded 201 off 48.1 overs.

In reply, new boy Luke Smith hit 68, and Gary Outram carried his bat for 90 as Sutton knocked off the runs inside 44 overs with only four wickets down.

Mitchell said: “Arun has his Surrey commitments but he has always been in and around the squad.

“He had been bowling some off-spin for us last year, but he changed to a medium pace and it has done the trick.

“It’s not bad to have someone like Arun, who can come in and make a difference.”

He added: “It was nice to get our first win – we’d played well last weekend before the rain came, and we struggled with the 50-over format last year, in fact we did not win one 50-over game.

“Weybridge started well but we pulled them back towards the end of their innings – Warren Barnes bowled well.

“We were in trouble at 11-3 but then Luke [Smith] and Gary [Outram] batted wonderfully well as a partnership to steady the ship and put us within touching distance of the win.”

Sutton go to champions Wimbledon this weekend, but Mitchell is confident of a performance.

“We beat Wimbledon last year, so I am hoping that will give the lads some confidence. Besides, as a player you always want to take on the best.”

Surrey Comet:

Gotcha: Warren Barnes enjoys a wicket                  SP81958

Surrey Comet:

Skipper with the ball: David Mitchell fires a ball at Weybridge’s Chris Roper     SP81958