1st XV Match report - 14th Jan 2023

David Daniels - 1st XV Manager

Match report - 14th Jan 2023

Sutton Coldfield RFC 39pts v Nuneaton Old Edwardians 32pts

Regional 2 North Midlands 

Last weekend saw another great win for Sutton 1st XV when, after a dodgy first half they hit top form in the second half recovering from a deficit of 10-18 at the break to win 39-32, scoring 7 tries in all, 5 in the revitalised second period securing a bonus point victory and moving them to within 1 point of league leaders Long Eaton (56/55), who they meet next Saturday in the away leg of the league fixture, which promises to be a captivating, classic top of the table clash, noting that Sutton won the home leg, 36-26 back in Oct 2022 and have a game in hand over Long Eaton at this stage in the season - A match not to be missed! 

Although Nun's are currently bottom of the table, they proved to be a powerful, competitive side and they appeared to take Sutton by surprise in a challenging first half knocking the home side out of their stride and shaking their normal composure with a full-frontal attack, which belied their lowly league position but 
after an uncharacteristic error strewn first half by Sutton against the fired-up Nuneaton side, who clearly felt they had a point to prove, Sutton hit back in the second half with an outstanding performance.

The Sutton 'magnificent 7' try fest was led by no 8 Jack Wells, who scored a brace, 1 in the first half and 1 in the second half, along with ace finisher, winger Will Mitchell, who also scored a brace both in the second half, then with winger Miles Gregory scoring the opening try after 3 minutes, hooker Dean Ginn scoring the opening try in the second half and fullback Matt Smith claiming the bonus point try 15 minutes into the second period, all the Sutton tries are accounted for.

Sutton kicked off in dry conditions after early rain with flyhalf/centre/winger/fullback Henry Nevitt completing the set by starting at scrumhalf with regular scrum half Tom Harris unavailable and reserve scrumhalf Zak Tyler unable to travel up from London. So it was young Henry, who stepped into the breach to partner flyhalf and Captain for the day Laurie Harries, who took over the captaincy in the absence of club captain George Ord, who was out with a troublesome neck injury.

However, in spite of the changes the backline looked strong with the welcome return of the experienced Josh Groom at inside centre, alongside Ben Morgan, who is settling in at outside centre for his second game back after injury, complemented by the pace of the back three, with wingers Will Mitchell and Miles Gregory plus fullback Matt Smith and so it proved with each of the back 3 scoring tries as the game unfolded.

The changes did not appear to effect Sutton at the start of the game, as they ran in the opening try after just 3 minutes, when fullback Matt Smith gathered a Nun's clearance kick which missed touch against a strong breeze and then set up a counter attack with quick hands transferring the ball across the field towards the left touchline before reaching left wing Miles Gregory, who chipped through the Nun's defence and won the race to touch down in the left corner.

Unfortunately the difficult conversion attempt on the left drifted wide but Sutton had taken a 5-0 lead after just 3 minutes of play, however straight from the restart the visitors stepped up their game and applied sustained pressure in the Sutton half leading to a penalty for offside on the edge of the Sutton 22 metre line on 8 minutes then on 20 minutes Sutton were caught offside in front of their posts and Nun's no 9 Bradley Darlaston was accurate with both penalty attempts to give the visitors a 6-5 lead midway through the first half, which was deserved on the balance of play and as Nun's continued to maintain their hold on the game Sutton struggled to turn the tide with their efforts hampered due to unforced errors and decision making costing them territory and possession... and so it was no surprise when 5 minutes before the break Nuneaton extended their lead to 13-5, as centre Craig Jones went over for a try in the right corner and Brad Darlaston landed a well-judged conversion.

With just minutes left to play to the halftime break a flurry of action saw first Sutton cross for a try scored by no 8 Jack Wells, who supported a counter attack set up by Sutton fullback Matt Smith to close the score to 10-13 but then in the dying seconds of the first half Nun's centre Mitch Grealey scored a try in the left corner after a scrabble on the Sutton try line to close the half at 18-10 to the visitors, much to the delight of their enthusiastic travelling support.

After a serious summary of their first half failings was set down during the halftime break, to their credit the young Sutton side emerged for the second half with a glint in their eye as they set about making amends straight from the Nun's restart and they came so close when a chip and chase was carried over the visitors try line but was judged to have been held up over the line and a drop out under the posts was awarded.

However, Sutton's serious intent had been laid down and in a magic period of around 6 minutes Sutton transformed the game by scoring three quick fire tries. The first try came on 11 minutes, when Sutton won a lineout in the Nun's 22 on the left touchline and hooker Dean Ginn scored from a well-executed catch & drive, closing the score to 18-15, then on 15 minutes, centre Josh Groom made a strong break in mid-field before passing to right wing Will Mitchell, who turned on the afterburners to take play deep into the Nun's 22 before passing inside to fullback Matt Smith, who completed the run to the line for an excellent bonus point try to the right of the posts. Acting scrumhalf Henry Nevitt, turned goal kicker to land the conversion to take Sutton back into the lead at 22-18 before on 17 minutes receiving the ball from the restart the ball was run from left to right across the field on a dazzling weaving run by Sutton left wing Miles Gregory, showing off his pace & illusive running by linking with no 8 Jack Wells, who carried the ball on before feeding right wing Will Mitchell, who again showed his pace and finishing skills as he raced into the right corner to complete another outstanding try.

The conversion was missed but Sutton had extended their lead to 27-18, however, with 15 minutes or so left on the clock the visitors were not done yet as they kicked a penalty to the right corner and from the lineout they regathered the ball, driving for the line and substitute forward Joe Donnelly was driven over to score in the right corner. Once again scrumhalf Brad Darlaston was inch perfect with the conversion and the visitors closed to 27-25 setting up a knife edge finish to a close contest.

Once again following the restart Sutton rose to the occasion and first winger Miles Gregory came close with another cross-field penetrating run but he was held up over the line resulting in another drop out from under the posts. Then Sutton fullback Matt Smith kicked a long-range penalty down the left touchline deep into the Nun's 22 and from the resulting lineout Sutton set up a powerful drive with no 8 Jack Wells going over to score his second try of the day. Again the conversion was missed but Sutton had re-established a 7 point lead with 10 minutes left to play, before once again Sutton fullback Matt Smith made a trademark break down the right wing exploiting a gap on the blindside to get behind the Nuneaton opposition before releasing right wing Will Mitchell with a perfectly timed inside pass to send the flying winger on his way on a 30 metre run to score under the posts and then the fullback added the conversion himself to stretch the score to 39-25 giving Sutton some breathing space, which in a frantic end to an absorbing game Sutton needed because as Nun's tried to salvage something from the game Sutton suffered successive yellow cards reducing them to 13 players for the final minutes of the challenging contest and Nun's took full advantage of the extra numbers as they scored a scrambled try in the left corner grounded by flanker Phil King for a try scoring bonus point and once again the accuracy of the conversion by scrumhalf Brad Darlaston brought then to within 7 points to also win them a losing bonus point i.e. 2 consolation bonus points in the closing seconds and a 39-32 final scoreline.

A reassuring result for Sutton but all credit to Nuneaton Old Ed's on their spirited performance and on this showing, if they can keep that team together, reported as their strongest team since the beginning of the season, they should get the results they need in the remaining 8 games to ensure a respectable finish to the season. Good luck from all at Sutton - they gave us quite a game!!

The top of the table clash this Saturday, with Sutton away to league leaders Long Eaton, should be a classic not to be missed event. Kick-off 2.15pm.

All support welcome.

Other team results:

Sutton Casuals away to Bournville - Friday 13th Jan 2023;

Last Friday evening under floodlights, Sutton Casuals were unlucky to lose a close game in the final phase of a keen contest but the introduction of fresh legs by Bournville in the closing stages swung the result in their favour...but a game enjoyed by all.

Ladies Match Result - 15th Jan 2023

Aston Old Edwardians Ladies 20pts v Sutton Ladies 36pts

National Championship 2 Midlands

Last Sunday the Sutton ladies travelled the short distance across North Birmingham for their league fixture against local rivals Aston Old Edwardians and they hit the ground running with Holly Wheeldon scoring their first try on 7 minutes before Sutton went on to score 3 more tries to secure a bonus point plus 3 conversions, to lead 26-8 at the interval, with Aston restricted to scoring 1 try plus a penalty.

The second half was a quieter affair with Sutton scoring just 2 more tries and Aston coming back into the game with 2 tries and a conversion
  
The Sutton first half tries were scored by Holly Wheeldon, Rose Dixon, Courtney Wilkins, Vicky Sullivan and Charlie Bryne contributed a brace in the second half with Alison Livermore converting 3 of the 4 tries scored in the first half.

Well done the Sutton girls and Coach Conor Madden.