SOUTHWOLD'S final away game for 2008 ended with them being handed a cricketing lesson as they were beaten by 10 wickets by leaders Stradbroke.With late call-offs and a general lack of availability depleting the visitors, and with only six players present at the start, skipper Steve Hines had little option but to bat on a drying wicket.

SOUTHWOLD'S final away game for 2008 ended with them being handed a cricketing lesson as they were beaten by 10 wickets by leaders Stradbroke.

With late call-offs and a general lack of availability depleting the visitors, and with only six players present at the start, skipper Steve Hines had little option but to bat on a drying wicket.

The folly of this was soon apparent as Ling made the new ball swing prodigiously. Veteran Bob Perrett chopped one on, and Tim Porter crunched a couple of boundaries, but was trapped in front by a low ball from Freeman.

Jordan Barber showed good promise, as he and David Barbrook moved the score up over 50 with some sensible batting. Stephen Warner replaced Freeman and got immediate reward as Barber lamely offered a catch to short mid-off. Lee Bedwell then deceived King with a full-toss and Joe Atkinson missed a straight one off Warner.

At drinks, Southwold were 64 for 5, but the situation got worse as Barbrook was unluckily bowled off a wide leg side delivery which rebounded off his back foot on to the stumps for a top-scoring 25.

Warner then ran through the tail, only Alex Britten offering any resistance with 13, Warner picking up figures of 6-16.

Stradbroke were little troubled in reply as Hines rotated the bowling in an effort to get a breakthrough. At tea, the hosts were 40 without loss after 10 overs.

Southwold gave their younger bowlers a run out, as the pitch by now had eased, and Long was unlucky not to pick up a wicket as Barker was dropped off a skier. Stradbroke cruised to victory without further alarm with 20 overs left to spare.

Southwold need to capture some home form and more commitment is required from the players if they are to avoid a second successive relegation, as they have four games left from August 31.