SCRFC 1st XV

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 24th Oct 2015

Old Halesonians 41 pts v Sutton Coldfield 0 pts

National League 3 Midlands

Last weekend the still relatively young and inexperienced Sutton side, with 7 players under 22 in their National League 3 starting 15, travelled into the Black Country to face second place Old Halesonians... but although the young Sutton side gave a good account of themselves they found the older and more experienced team too strong especially in the scrum, where under pressure Sutton conceded two penalty tries and significantly they also suffered two yellow cards, so it was uphill all the way for the beleaguered visitors, who fought courageously to the end in a 41-0 defeat. A case of a good old team beating a good young side for now!

Sutton started strongly but Old Hales drew first blood when Sutton were penalised for not rolling away after the tackle and long serving fullback Chris Hooper landed a 35 metre penalty for a 3-0 lead 5 minutes into the game, then on 15 minutes Hooper repeated the process from 30 metres to extend the lead to 6-0 when Sutton were penalised at a scrum in midfield.

Sutton responded well and spent time in the Old Halesonians half but the points would not come and although the Sutton lineout was working well with good wins on their own throw and putting pressure on the opposition throw with occasional steals the Sutton pack came under pressure in the scrums and when Sutton received a yellow card 30 minutes into the game Old Hales opted for a scrum 5 metres out. Under pressure the 7 man Sutton pack collapsed as Old Hales drove for the line wide out on their left wing and the referee awarded a penalty try, which with Hooper's easy conversion stretched the deficit to 13-0 with 10 minutes to play to the break.

In spite of the score line, as halftime approached Sutton were still in the game with strong attacking runs by their lively back line but all too often the promising play fizzled out and chances were missed but on another day the good play could have resulted in valuable points on the score sheet! but it was not to be and on the stroke of half time Sutton suffered another blow when no8 Owen Jones broke from the base of an attacking scrum under the Sutton posts 5 metres out and stretched to claim the try, which was converted by Hooper to close the half at 20-0 in favour of Old Halesonians.

Sutton made a positive start to the second half but unfortunately again their efforts went without reward and in fact 8 minutes into the second half Sutton suffered another setback when they were reduced to 14 players for another 10 minute period, when they were penalised for not retreating 10 metres when Old Hales took a quick tap penalty.

Overcoming the further setback 14 man Sutton competed strongly against their powerful opponents and for around 20 minutes depleted Sutton held back the Old Hales horde, whilst making strong counterattacking plays themselves but 25 minutes into the second half Old Hales 2nd row Tom King kicked ahead and chased a loose ball to set up a try for fullback Chris Hooper who gathered the ball to score and then converted his own try to stretch the lead to 27-0, which was extended to 34-0 when winger Luke Smith raced in on the right wing beating two Sutton defenders in the 22 on his run to the line and Hooper added the conversion.

In the closing 10 minutes of the game, which had been played in constant rain and drizzle suiting the heavy opposition's style of play and frustrating the more fleet footed Sutton side, the brave effort by a defiant Sutton was further frustrated when a second penalty try was awarded to Old Hales again at a 5 metre scrum on the Sutton try line and Chris Hooper added the simple conversion to close the scoring at 41-0.

Sutton take another break from league rugby with no National 3 league games scheduled this weekend.

Sutton return to league action on Sat 7th Nov when Old Nothamptonians are the visitors to the RSG, Walmley Rd for a crucial bottom of the table clash.