1st Match report - 29th Oct 2022

David Daniels 1st XV Manager

Match report - 29th Oct 2022

Oadby Wyggestonians RFC 9pts v Sutton Coldfield RFC 36pts

Regional 2 North Midlands

Sutton 1st XV continued their great run of form last weekend, when they travelled to 5th place Oadby Wyggestonians for the 8th game of their 2022/23 league campaign and they kept the pressure on league leaders Long Eaton with an impressive 36-9, bonus point victory over a strong Wygg's team, who failed to compete with a fired-up Sutton side, as the hosts had to settle for just three long range penalties against their high flying opponents, who scored 6 tries plus 3 conversions in a highly entertaining game.

Once again in preparation for the match Sutton had to change the winning line-up that had played so well to defeat league leaders Long Eaton the previous week but not to the detriment of their performance, with the new look team fitting seamlessly into the game plan with an opening try on 8 minutes after falling behind to a 40 metre penalty after just 3 minutes of play, then Sutton went on to score 3 more tries to secure a bonus point by half time, whilst all their hosts could offer were 2 more long distance penalties, both from 48 metres and whilst they were both well struck they showed a distinct lack of ambition against a strong display by Sutton, who raced into a solid 22-9 at the break then went on to score 2 more converted tries in the second 40 to register a convincing 36-9 victory, which consolidated Sutton's 2nd place in the league with Leek in 3rd place just 1 point behind Sutton, who are 5 points behind Long Eaton and 2 points ahead of Leek in 4th place, in a tight top third of the table.

The forced changes in the Sutton line-up were due to injuries & availability and the positional changes were led by former club captain and front row legend Sean Harrison, who, although now semi-retired and only available when required, has recorded more than 200 appearances for Sutton 1st XV over his long career. Having taken a place on the bench in his previous games this season, last weekend the club stalwart joined the starting XV at open side prop and went on to score a memorable try in the closing minutes of the game to show that he still has the scoring instinct. Other changes included the welcome return of current club captain George Ord, who took a leave of absence the previous week for a delayed honeymoon with new wife Emma but returned last week to lead the side to victory from the second row, with a rearranged backrow made up of Chris Duckworth brought in off the wing, at 6, Jack Wells moved from 8 to 7 to accommodate the welcome return of Peter Meachin at 8. Then in the backs 9 (Tom Harris), 10 (Laurie Harries) and 11 (Will Mitchell) remained in place but Jacob Jones returned at 12, Will Smewin started at 13, after his impressive season debut off the bench against Long Eaton the previous week and the hard running Tom McNamee reappeared at 14 scoreing two tries in the first half to mark his return. Finally, student Kieran Henderson returned from his studies in Cardiff to take his place as a valuable asset on the bench to cover the back 5.

Oadby kicked off into a low sun, on a perfect playing surface with just a slight breeze making for excellent playing conditions but as Sutton gathered the ball and play got underway within 3 minutes Sutton were caught offside on their 10 metre line in mid-field and Oadby opted for the long range kick, which was landed by scrumhalf Jack Elliott to give the Wygg's an early 3-0.

Play developed with the Sutton 8 doing well to hold the powerful opposition pack in the early scrums with the set pieces evenly matched but once again Sutton produced good lineout ball and their back row were very effective in the loose both defence and attack. Then 8 minutes into the game Sutton won a scrum on the Wygg's 10 metre line on the Sutton left and the ball was quickly moved forward at pace with good handling across the backs moving from left to right to send right wing Tom McNamee racing down the right touchline to score an excellent try in the right corner.

The difficult touchline conversion was missed but Sutton moved into a 5-3 lead and play continued to flow after the restart with Sutton starting to take control. Winning a lineout on their left-wing Sutton fed the ball smartly across the Wygg's 22 from left to right but livewire outside centre Will Smewin, with quick feet cut inside the line to score an excellent try under the posts. Fullback Matt Smith added the simple conversion to extend Sutton's lead to 12-3 after 15 minutes of play but as Sutton were threatening to race away with the game they were penalised at a breakdown on the halfway line and Oadby again opted for the kick at goal, this time from 48 metres and centre Allan Lunn duly obliged with a powerful and accurate boot to close the score to 6-12 midway through the first half.

Sutton continued to build their base and on 28 minutes Sutton's left-wing Will Mitchell emerged from a breakdown/scramble on the Sutton 10 metre line with the ball and the touchline open in front of him. Brushing past the only opponent near him the powerful winger showed confidence in his pace and ability as he outpaced the Oadby defenders in a race to the left corner, which the talented Sutton winger won hands down with an outstanding solo effort. Unfortunately, the attempted touchline conversion drifted just inches to the left of the upright but the solo try had extended the score to 17-6 but within minutes of the restart Sutton were penalised again at a breakdown on the halfway line and centre Lunn banged over the penalty to reduce the deficit to 9-17 with 10 minutes to play in the second half.

Sutton continued to press and on the stroke of halftime a passing move from left to right sent right-wing Tom McNamee in full flow racing into the right corner again for his second try of the day. Again, the attempted conversion drifted just wide, this time inches to the right but whilst they got nil points for the conversion Sutton did get a bonus point for their 4th try of the day and they went into the break leading 22-9.

In a bustling second half the Sutton defence was tested as the big Oadby pack went on the offensive seeking to salvage something from the game led by their all action no8 Ben Cornwall but the Sutton defence held strong and the host club were denied any additional score. However, with 9 minutes of the second half played a break by Sutton no8 Peter Meachin took play deep into the Oadby 22. The ball was taken on by super sub Kieran Henderson, who weaved his way to the line before off-loading to fullback Matt Smith, who completed the try, then kicked the touchline conversion for good measure to extend Sutton's lead to 29-9.

With time running out at the end of the game Sutton won an attacking 5-metre lineout on their right wing and gathering the ball they drove play towards the try line crabbing in field and the ball was in the control of prop Sean Harrison when the pack crashed over the line for the score that was the cream on the cake and with Matt Smith adding the conversion for a 36-9 score line the cake was even sweeter. Well done the lads.

This weekend Sutton travel to 9th place Newark RFC in a re-arranged home & away fixture to allow the traditional Nov 5th Bonfire & Firework Display plus Funfair to take place at the Walmley Road Ground, whilst Sutton 1st XV hope to produce their own brand of fireworks and funfair away at Newark earlier in the afternoon. KO 2.15pm

Sutton Other Team Results:

Saturday 29th Oct 2022

Sutton 2nd XV 15pts v Willenhall XV 55pts

Last Saturday Sutton 2nd XV made a welcome return to the playing field at the RSG, Walmley Road in a competitive game and under the captaincy of Chris Hendley they enjoyed a good first half leading 15-12 at the break against a Willenhall XV, who had some aces up their sleeve in the second half to produce a final result of 55-15 in favour of the visitors but a game and a day enjoyed by all.

Sunday 30th Oct 2022

Sutton Colts 12pts v Droitwich Colts 5pts

Last Sunday Sutton Colts continued with their winning ways, this time with a hard fought but well deserved 12-5 victory over Droitwich Colts.