Sutton bowler Warren Barnes proved the difference in more ways than one against Weybridge at Hanger Hill on Saturday.

Number 11 batsman Barnes first hit the eight runs at the bottom of the order to get his side up to 181 all out in the face of 4-47 from evergreen Thushara Managei.

Weybridge skipper Joel Pope’s men had little answer to Barnes’ exploits with the ball in hand as he claimed 5-44 alongside team-mate Matthew Cawood’s 4-53 to halt the response eight runs shot of the victory target.

The result kept Sutton’s faint hopes of chasing down league leaders Reigate Priory alive and condemnd Weybridge to a season of mid-table mediocrity.

Malden Wanderers head to Esher for the clash of the day in Division One tomorrow, with both teams in desperate need of a win.

Giles Puckle’s Wanderers are only 10 points above second-bottom Esher after a six wicket defeat at Cranleigh for whom ex-Surrey and Weybridge man Seren Waters (4-47) and Brandon McLean (4-43) starred.

Esher had Peter Scott (56) and Jonathan Barrett (52) to thank as they secured a winning draw against Old Whitgiftians at New Road.

Dan Taylor (5-68) and Nicholas Winder (4-54) dismissed the visitors for 214, but Esher fell three runs short of the winning score as they were held to 212-9 with the last pair standing.

Third-placed East Molesey’s four wicket defeat at league leaders Normandy leaves them 19 points short of the Division One promotion places.

Fixtures: Weybridge v Guildford, Esher v Malden Wanderers, East Molesey v Cheam