SUTHERLAND'S thrilling 11-run win over Sydney on Saturday at Glenn McGrath Oval, Caringbah, keeps them in the finals race.
In a congested competition table, Sutherland are 13th on 12 points and St George are 12th on 12 points.
Manly lead on 22 points and the top six teams qualify for the finals.
"It's a tight competition," Sutherland first grade skipper Nathan Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald collected the amazing figures of 9-102.
Left-arm spinner Riley Ayre grabbed the other one as they dismissed Sydney for 334 in reply to Sutherland's total of 345.
"The main thing is we won the match and got the points," Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald became only the fourth bowler in Sutherland first grade history to get nine wickets in an innings.
Sutherland play Blacktown on Saturday at Joe McAleer Oval, Glendenning.
Play starts at 10.30am.
St George
St George Cricket Club president Kevin Greene said it's not often you score 325 in an innings and get beaten.
But this happened when Saints scored 325 in reply to Bankstown's 3(dec)-380 on Saturday at Bankstown Oval.
Damian Bourke and Simon Chu both made 87 and Ashton May scored 77, but the Saints fell 55 runs short.
"It's also not often you get two players who make 87 in an innings," Greene said.
The Saints are waiting for a medical clearance for regular skipper and fast bowler Trent Copeland to resume playing.
Copeland has back stress fractures and could return on Saturday as a batsman.
St George play Penrith on Saturday at Hurstville Oval.
‘‘Jock and Errol have helped me stay fit and on the park,’’ Fitzgerald said.
Play starts at 10.30am.
How do you think Sutherland will go against Blacktown this weekend?
