Sutton won the toss and decided to bat, putting Reigate in to field on a muggy evening with dampness underfoot. But with the sun promising to push through the clouds, the likelihood of the ground drying out as the evening wore on was a distinct possibility.

Bella Barton started the bowling attack by producing a maiden over to restrict Sutton from the off. This was followed one over later by a diving stop at the boundary on the last ball for Sophie Bellew to throw in to wicket keeper Rosie Foster - not only denying Sutton’s first boundary, but restricting the visitors to just 4 runs off the first two overs.

And tight fielding would prove a constant factor throughout the first innings – frustrating the Sutton batters. A great reaction stop by Leah Dexter in the third over again thwarted Sutton from puncturing the field.

Captain Naomi Saunders made a fielding change in the fourth over, moving Bella to slip - which proved an instinctive move. Harriet Jones’s last ball of the over saw Bella chase and then throw in for Rosie to hit the stumps. The first Sutton wicket fell to the run out.

But truth be told, it was Reigate’s alert fielding and constant supply of speedy bowling that thwarted Sutton’s efforts to make an impact on the scoreboard. But the batters stuck at it and began to pick out the odd ball for treatment. A couple of boundaries followed during the next two overs but eventually the second wicket fell to an edge off Naomi, and a superb catch by Abi Richardson as she ran backwards, reaching out to pluck the ball from over her shoulder.

It wasn’t until the 9th over that Reigate let up on the speed bowling, and Amelia Leonard came in to spin the ball. Naomi narrowly missed holding onto a one-handed backward catch which sprang from her hand. But she was proven to be in the right place when the next ball threw up another chance – but again, Naomi was beaten despite athletically diving for the ball.

Sutton lost their third wicket in the tenth over when Abi produced an LBW. And then the end was swapped with the batters now facing into the low sun. Amelia kept the pressure on, taking the fourth wicket by bamboozling the batter with a ball that slid under the bat straight to the stumps.

Again, tight fielding stopped solid shots from Sutton from reaching the boundary.

With Bella taking the fifth wicket with a clean bowl, Naomi followed up an over later with her second and third wickets – in three balls.

The final overs saw Abi bravely stopping a ball in deep field, that seemed intent on breaking her fingers. And Harriet taking Sutton’s 8th wicket on the last ball of the innings.

Sutton departed the field all out in 20 overs with 58 on the board. And with the wicket drying out, Reigate headed to the clubhouse with a bounce in their step ready for the chase. Sutton had been restricted, largely thanks to an impressive team effort in the field.

The second innings saw Sophie Bellew open the batting, getting off the mark with a single straight away. Then Harriet bettered this with a boundary four. A confident start full of intent from Reigate’s opening pair.

But Sutton were not to roll over. The second over saw Sutton’s Mathan making a super stop off the last ball of her over. Struck with venom, she somehow got low to grab a ball that not many people saw!

The remaining overs allowed Harriet to make an impressive 35 off 36 balls, and Sophie 13 off 19. Both batters showing great maturity by striking the ball hard for 4 but following up with sensible defensive shots when necessary.

Suttons spin bowler, Dutta, proved most effective in reducing the run rate – with sensible fielding positions restricting Sophie and Harriet. But ultimately, Reigate’s patience paid off in the second innings and they were able to reach the target of 59 by the first ball of the tenth over.

A comprehensive victory then, that saw Reigate making good decisions in every department of the game.