1st XV Match report 1 - 4th Feb 2023

David Daniels - 1st XV Manager

Match report 1 - 4th Feb 2023

Leek RFC 49 pts v Sutton Coldfield 20 pts

Regional 2 North Midlands

In spite of gifting their illustrious hosts 3 breakaway long range converted tries during the course of the match, with the first coming just 2 minutes into the game after a missed tackle deep in the Leek half led to a converted try under the Sutton posts, then 2 interceptions on the Leek try line, one in the first half and one in the second half, led to converted tries under the Sutton posts after 100 metre dashes respectively and with the normally efficient Sutton lineout faltering at key moments during the match, the Sutton side still showed enough spirit to make a real game of it and although trailing 49-20 coming into the final minutes of the game Sutton launched a spirited attack from their own try line taking play fluently into the Leek 22 and moving the ball left to right across the face of the posts the final scoring pass was attempted just as the tackle came in and the pass flew behind the would be try scorer on the right wing... and typical of Sutton's day the chance of a 4th Sutton try and a bonus point was lost and on the final whistle the score remained at 49-20. Such were the frustrations for Sutton and their supporters when their luck ran out against the current league leaders.

However, despite the defeat Sutton remain in a strong third place in the table with a game in hand over second place Long Eaton and with Leek strengthening their lead at the top of the table at 64 pts, Long Eaton on 61 and Sutton on 56 the fourth place is held by Melbourne on 53 pts and then a gap of 10 points to the fifth and sixth place teams the league table of 12 teams remains a fascination of form with six games to play to the end of the season - watch this space.

Sutton kicked off in dry, overcast conditions but within 2 minutes of play they found themselves 7-0 down when having followed the kick off into the Leek half a simple missed tackle by Sutton allowed the Leek ball carrier to race down the left wing deep into the Sutton half before passing in field to flanker Billy Kidd, who completed the run to score by the Sutton posts and flyhalf Will Midwinter made no mistake with the conversion to give the homeside the perfect start with a 7-0 lead after 2 minutes of play.

Stunned by the early score Sutton tried to settle into the game as they applied strong early pressure but a penalty attempt was missed, then the next penalty was kicked to the left corner but the lineout was lost and it was in the 14th minute that Sutton were able to land a penalty from the boot of fullback Matt Smith to close the score to 7-3, when Leek were penalized for playing the no 9 at the breakdown on the Leek 22. Encouraged by the score Sutton continued to press forward to good effect and they set up a good passing movement going left to right in front of the Leek posts. However, once again with the tryline open the final scoring pass was intercepted and the recipient, centre Jack Newton-Taylor ran the length of the field to touchdown under the posts, giving Midwinter the easiest of conversions and extending the Leek lead to 14-3 after 17 minutes of play.

Again, after the setback, to their credit Sutton tried to reassert themselves but their normal game would not flow and lineouts continued to malfunction but fighting against the odds 15 minutes before the break the Sutton backs set up a passing movement again going left to right before outside centre Will Smewin entered the line on a weaving run to make a deceisive break in mid-field before linking with right wing Will Mitchell, who powered over for an excellent try in the right corner. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt drifted wide but Sutton had closed to 17-8 and were still within touch. However, the homeside reasserted themselves and 10 minutes before the halftime interval they launched an attack down the Sutton left wing making an initial break for the tryline but Sutton's livewire flanker Jack Wells covered the danger and raced back to perform a superb try saving tackle just short of the line but Leek were quick to recycle the ball and spin it across the Sutton posts to their left wing, where there was a large overlap and an easy walkin for outside centre Jack Newton-Taylor to score his second try of the day to the left of the posts. Will Midwinter stroked home his third conversion of the day to give Leek a 21-8 lead, which they carried through to the halftime break without further incident.

The second half started well for the homeside, who followed their restart kick into the Sutton 22 and set up an encampment on the Sutton tryline moving left to right before right wing Tom Scragg found space to squeeze over for a try in the right corner. Once again flyhalf Will Midsummer was spot on with his conversion and Leek moved into a daunting 28-8 lead just 2 minutes into the second half - deja vu.

Not to be found wanting in spite of the ominous scoreline Sutton continued to improvise and on 15 minutes Sutton flyhalf and captain Laurie Harries set up an attack on the Leek 22, making the initial break before delivering the perfect pass to fullback Matt Smith, who came in on the perfect run to burst through and score an excellent try by the posts, which the fullback converted himself to bring the score back to 28-15, with 25 minutes left to play...however, although encouraged by the score misfortune continued to stalk the Sutton efforts as just a few minutes later the visitors looked to move the ball across their 22 but dropped the ball, which was picked up on the 22 by Leek's flanker & vice captain George Hunt, who picked up and raced over to score under the posts, which again was converted by Midwinter to reestablish a 35-15 lead to Leek midway through the second period.

Once again, with most things going against them Sutton showed great resolve and courage as they launched a counter attack, which was kept alive by a brilliant take by second row Harry Moxon, who crouched low in midfield to gather a low ball and then raced on to the edge of the Leek 22 before passing to Sutton substitute Chris Duckworth, who marked his return to active duties with a superb weaving run into the right corner. Again the conversion was missed but spirited Sutton had reduced the deficit 35-20 with around 20 minutes left to play.

Unfortunately, in the final quarter of the game the scoreboard was dominated by the home-side, as Sutton continued to make a game of it, it was Leek who took the rewards; first on 63 minutes Leek forced repeated scrums, which Sutton resisted until the Leek scrumhalf Liam McDermott broke blind to feed flyhalf Will Midsummer, who raced in unopposed on the overlap.

Midsummer converted his own try to take the score to 42-20, with 17 minutes left to play before he became the beneficiary when following the restart Sutton set up a supurb attack on the Leek tryline going into the right corner but when held up short of the try line the ball was taken back infield and a wild pass flung into the air was picked up by the flyhalf, who was having the game of his life and he raced the 100 metres to score under the Sutton posts, with the conversion of his own try to come, giving a final scoreline of 49-20 and a personal tally of 24 points for the talented flyhalf.

Although the spirited Sutton side continued to compete well during the closing period, it was not to be their day and on balance Leek deserved the win, with a good solid team performance taking full advantage of the chances that came their way as worthy winners and deserving league leaders but the score line does not truely reflect Sutton's contribution to a good game of competitive rugby.

This weekend 11th Feb 2023, Sutton 1st XV are home to welcome Newark RFC, who are enjoying a good run of form and will provide another stern test for the emerging Sutton side. All support welcome. KO 2.15 pm.

Match report 2 - 4th Feb 2023
Spartons 2nd XV 12 pts v Sutton 2nd XV 66 pts

A hotly contested first half, which saw a strong fightback from Spartons, was contained by a comprehensive and outstanding shift from the Sutton players in the second half. A decent hat-trick of tries by Tom McNamee went under the radar due to the level of execution throughout the Sutton backline, led by 18 year old Adam Parr, who continues to show maturity beyond his years in only his second appearance wearing the no 10 jersey.

Tries also came from Bamber, Snow (2), Turnbull, Marriot, Hussain, and a special one from Chris Handley, with a truely outstanding individual try from his own 10 metre line, gliding along so beautifully it looked like he was'nt moving at all.

McNamee added 6 conversions and Parr contributed 2 more with other notable contributors from across the team such as Will Thompson's lung bursting carries and chasedown tackles an audacious back of the hand assist from captain Sam Harris and an incredable surge from prop Josh Anderson, who heartbreakingly had his first ever try ruled out due to his own athleticism being too much for the grafting referee to keep up with play.

We wish veteran Paul Spiby a speedy recovery after a nasty injury early on. It was great to see him back on the field playing.

We go again next week and encourage all to get involved on the bandwaggon - second team rugby is thriving at SCRFC.

Match summary:
Sutton; tries, Tom McNamee (5, 45, 55), Charles Snow (9,82), Harry Bamber (14), Ollie Turnbull (43), Chris Hendley (60), Cam Marriot (72), Raheel Hussian (75).

Sutton; cons, Tom McNamee (5, 9, 14, 43, 45, 55), Adam Parr (75, 82).

Spartons; tries, (31, 36).

Spartons; cons, (36).

Other team results:

Friday 3rd Feb 2023 - evening floodlit friendly game.

Sutton Casuals 26 pts v Old Salts 39 pts

Sunday 5th Feb 2023 - morning, Warwickshire Cup Quarter Finals.

Sutton U15's 48 pts v Shipston 21 pts

Sunday 5th Feb 2023 - afternoon, Ladies Intermediate Cup Competition.

Lichfield Ladies 35 pts v Sutton Ladies 0 pts