Sutton & Epsom skipper Matt Whitaker is leading from the front in the team’s final push for promotion from London Division Two South West.

The flanker bagged a hat-trick of tries on Saturday as Sutton beat London Cornish 50-15 at Rugby Lane.

The result means that, if Sutton secure bonus-point wins from their final three games, they are guaranteed a play-off spot.

However, with leaders Chobham only four points ahead and set to face third-placed Guildford on the final weekend of the season, there is an outside chance Whitaker could be hailing his side as champions.

He said: “It was good to get that hat-trick, but most important was getting the bonus-point win. We know that if we get bonus-point wins from the remaining games then we’ll be in the play-offs.

“The ground conditions are improving too, which suits our style of play. We’ve scored some good team tries this year through fast-running rugby, and we’re getting back to that.

“It has been noticeable in our performances of late, including last weekend.”

Jack Wilson, Mike Cartledge, Shawn Renwick and Brendan Kipping got the tries that completed the rout over London Cornish, while Frankie Murray and Sam Hurley added 15 points with the boot.

Whitaker, in his first year as skipper, said: “The fact Chobham play Guildford on the last Saturday plays into our hands, but we cannot start thinking that far ahead.

“We need to think about our own game otherwise we risk losing and missing out on the play-offs. I cannot see either Guildford or Chobham slipping up until the final game when one or both of them will drop points.”

Sutton travel to Teddington this weekend, before hosting Old Reigatian the weekend after.

They end the season, play-off pending, with a trip to Effingham & Leatherhead.