1st XV Match report - 18th Feb 2023

David Daniels 1st XV Manager

Match report - 18th Feb 2023

Sutton Coldfield 13 pts v Silhillians RFC 29 pts

Regional 2 North Midlands

After a rich run of form in the first half of the season, winning 10 of their first 14 games taking them to second in the league during the start of the second half of the season, Sutton 1st XV has seen a change in fortunes in 2023 and they have now lost their last 4 games.

However, they still remain in 3rd place in the table with the teams immediately below them sharing their misfortunes, whilst the teams
in the middle/bottom half of the table like Newark and yesterdays opponents Silhillians RFC progress up the table closing the gap on Sutton.

Ironically last weekend saw a hastily rearranged Sutton pack reach new levels of high performance as they dominated the forward play against strong opposition but unfortunately, the Sutton backs, normally the stars of the show had a rare off day; with chances missed as good approach play failed to deliver the tries required and especially in the intense second half Sutton continually failed to turn pressure and possession into points, with yet another interception on the opposition try line gifting the opposition 7 points after a 90 metre race to the Sutton tryline, contributing to the 29-13 defeat.

With Sutton's mainstay and always present hooker Dean Ginn sidelined with a shoulder/arm injury sustained in a painful impact the previous week in the defeat by Newark and severely missed by the team, multi-talented Curtis Wellington stepped into the key no2 slot in a new look Sutton front row and with the late introduction of new signing Danny Griffin as front row replacement making his debut on the bench, the Sutton pack put in a formidable performance giving Sutton the perfect platform from which to contest the game.

The visitors kicked off with a strong cross wind blowing towards the clubhouse and a damp atmosphere but no actual rain as the teams sized each other up in the opening exchanges with Sutton putting in a powerful drive in the first Silhillians scrum boding well for what was to follow. However, with the Sutton pack shaping up well it was the visitors who took the lead with a 35 metre penalty in midfield landed by right wing Ben Freeman to give Silhillians a 3-0 lead after 13 minutes of play.

However, Sutton responded well setting up strong attacking positions and from one such threat created on the Sutton left wing, fullback Matt Smith took the ball on cutting through the defenders to reach the line for an excellent try to the left of the posts. Unfortunately kicking into the wind the ball flew wide but Sutton took a slender 5-3 lead with 18 minutes played, however, not be outdone the combative Silhillians side from a lineout on their right deep in the Sutton half the ball was fed infield and outside centre Jon Rich broke through the Sutton defensive line to score by the posts giving Ben Freeman a simple conversion and the visitors a 10-5 lead 22 minutes into the game.

In the run-up to the halftime interval both sides had chances that slipped away, notably a dramatic break down the right wing by Zak Tyler set up a promising position in the Sils 22 for Sutton but the chance was lost and in a tense unsettled period of play up to the break all too often Sutton set up a strong driving maul but did not get the ball to ground quickly enough and when the maul was stopped possession was handed to Sils on too many occasions.

At the start of the second half Sutton applied the early pressure and after 7 minutes of sustained presence in the Sils 22, Matt Smith was handed a penalty chance 20 metres out and central midfield, which he landed to close Sutton to within 2 points at 8-10 but 2 minutes later following the restart Sils kicked for the corner landing a well judged 50/20 giving them the throw at the lineout, which they won and drove for the line with prop Adam Winsbury claiming the score, and with Ben Freeman landing an excellent conversion Sils extended their lead to 17-8 with 9 minutes played.

From the restart Sutton pressed hard and dominated the territory and possession for most of the second half pinning Sils back in their own half for long periods but the Sils strong defense held firm and with 26 minutes of the second half played Sutton were pressing hard on the Sils tryline when a misdirected pass by Sutton was intercepted by centre Harry Jones, who raced the full length of the field to inflict more pain on Sutton as he scored under the posts, giving Ben Freeman his easiest conversion of the day, Sils a 22-8 lead and Sutton a self made mountain to climb.

Again from the restart Sutton continued to dominate play in the Sils half but they were unable to turn pressure into points and it was the visitors who broke free from the stranglehold getting behind the Sutton attacking line and racing down their right wing with numbers to spare as flyhalf Declan Ries went in for a try to the right of the posts. Ben Freeman added the conversion to extend the score to 29-8 with 8 minutes left to play.

Frustrated but not down, spirited Sutton raised their game in the final period of play as they stole a Sils lineout on the Sutton right wing and skillfully fed the ball quickly from right to left across the field before outside centre Tom McNamee turned on the after burners and powered in at pace to score a spectacular consolation try in the left corner. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt drifted wide and Sutton had to settle for a final scoreline of 29-13 on a frustrating day but all credit to Silhillians, who were combative in attack and strong in defense and on the day deserved the win to avenge the Sutton 35-34 victory in the reverse fixture last year.

Sadly the other significant event that happened during the match was the accident that befell Sutton's long-serving and totally reliable/knowledgeable touch judge John Gawthrope, who disappeared under the players as a player was tackled into touch and collided with John, twisting his knee as the player(s) landed on top of our unfortunate touch judge.

John has served the club over many years as, player, team captain, referee and most recently regular touch judge home & away but after this innocent incident, which has damaged the ligaments and tendons plus soft tissue in John's left knee and threaten's his planned trip to South Africa in 3 weeks time, John has decided that it is perhaps time to reluctantly hang up his boots and his flag and retire from the game he loves to serve.

On behalf of the club, 1st XV players and coaches I would like to thank John for his many years of dedicated and valued service and wish him a speedy and pain free recovery.

This weekend Sutton welcome Matlock RFC for the final home game of the season at the RSG and Sutton will be looking to get their season back on track before facing the three away games that take them to the end of the season on the 18th March. A game not to be missed kicking off at 2.15pm on Saturday with the Sutton Ladies playing their penultimate home game on Sunday against Bury St Edmonds kick off 2pm. Again a game not to be missed. All support welcome on the touchline and in the bar afterwards.

Other match result:
Friday 17th February 2023

Sutton Casuals 22 pts v Old Halesonians 24 pts.

After a great performance by the Sutton Casuals, who were leading old rivals Old Halesonians by 22-19 with just seconds to play in a close fought and highly entertaining contest played under floodlights at the RSG, Walmley Road last Friday night kicking off at 7.30 but in the cruelest of blows a breakaway try by the visitors crushed Sutton's expectations as the player ran the length of the field to claim the match winning try, which went unconverted but dashed Sutton's dreams of another victory.

Although disappointed with the shock score everyone would agree from players to team officials and spectators the evening was a great success and playing in or watching a game played under floodlights is magical and the beer tastes good afterwards even if you lose.