Match report - 14th Nov 2015

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 14th Nov 2015

Peterborough Lions 12 pts v Sutton Coldfield 8 pts

National League 3 Midlands

On a rain soaked afternoon in Peterborough, Sutton made a spirited effort in the second half of a low scoring contest to take an 8-7 lead going into the final 12 minutes of play, thanks to well worked try for skipper Jon Raistrick... but unfortunately for Sutton their hosts Peterborough Lions fought back to claim a scrambled try in the closing minutes for a narrow 12-8 victory and Sutton had to settle for a losing bonus point.

The Lions kicked off in wet conditions with the advantage of a slight slope on a reasonably firm pitch considering the recent rains and they immediately put Sutton under pressure in their own half but the visitors held out against the initial surge. Neither side took control of the situation during this opening period and to their credit both teams tried to show positivity and enterprise in the difficult handling conditions.

In the early exchanges the Sutton scrum held up well against the powerful Peterborough pack but unfortunately the Sutton lineout stuttered again and a lost Sutton throw just outside their 22 led to a surge by Peterborough, who drove play into the Sutton 22 as they traversed left to right and into midfield but then having drawn the Sutton defence in field Peterborough swung the ball to the left and South African fullback De la Rey Veenendaal exploited a 2 man overlap to race into the left corner unopposed.

Centre Will Carrington added the difficult touchline conversion to give the hosts a morale boosting 7-0 lead after 15 minutes of play but Sutton responded well to the deficit and they set about the task of overhauling their opponents. Unfortunately the difficult playing conditions and strong defence by the Lions restricted Sutton to a single penalty opportunity during the remaining 25 minutes and Sutton centre Alex Whited ended the first half with well judged 25 meter kick when Peterborough were penalised for not releasing on the ground and Sutton closed the half 7-3 down.

Sutton continued to build the pressure from the restart and the visitors dominated the battle for territory during a competitive second half in an increasingly close contest but unfortunately the score remained static... until 12 minutes from time when having been denied after a promising attack down the right wing, Sutton launched a counterattack down the left wing when they gathered a misplaced clearance kick from the earlier failed attack. Sutton fielded the misplaced clearance kick and they ran the ball back at pace, cutting across field towards the left wing play was taken on into the Lions 22 by centre Tom McNamee, who fed fellow centre Jonny Raistrick allowing the skipper to force his way over for a well worked Captain's try, which gave Sutton a narrow 8-7 lead.

Unfortunately the difficult conversion drifted wide and Sutton set about defending their precarious single point lead. But the Lions had one last roar and pressed Sutton hard as they chased the victory both sides needed. Unfortunately Sutton conceded a penalty in midfield and Peterborough predictably kicked into the corner for an attacking lineout in the Sutton 22. The Lions won the lineout and drove for the Sutton try line but although Sutton defended strongly and appeared to have held up the advance, Lions hooker Jack Lewis managed to squirm through the mass of bodies and satisfy the referee that he had grounded the ball cleanly.

Once again the conversion drifted wide and although Sutton went after a winning try in the remaining minutes, Peterborough were not to be denied and as time ran out the score remained 12-8 so there was no magic reversal in the dying seconds on this occasion and Sutton slumped to the foot of the league again just 5 points away from salvation in a tight battle at the bottom.

This weekend Sutton welcome Sandbach RFC to the RSG, Walmley Road for their 10th league game of the season as they search for consistency and a return to winning ways to start a winning run they are more than capable of. KO 2.15.

Sutton other team results:

With the Senior side away in Peterborough the Sutton 2nd, 3rd and 4th XV teams all had home games to entertain the crowds at the RSG with the Sutton Development side under coach Joe Gavin taking centre stage with a gutsy 35-14 victory over a strong Stoke side. Fly half Ben Morgan, Danny Bancroft and winger Chev Taylor plus Dom Morphet had starring roles and provided most of the points for Sutton in another impressive performance.

Unfortunately the Development side were the only Sutton winners on a mixed day for the Walmley Road club as Sutton 3rd XV found Bromsgrove 2nd XV too strong on the day as they suffered a heavy defeat and although the Sutton club were pleased to record a first outing of the season for the Sutton 4th XV, the game ended in a 50-17 defeat against a well organised Burton 3rd XV, who were just too strong in the hastily arranged fixture... but well done to Steve Marshall and his contacts for drumming up enough interest and support to field not only a competitive 3rd team but also a 4th XV, which speaks well for the growing support the club is enjoying at the senior and social levels of the game and when one adds the occasional Veteran's outing and the more regular Ladies games the club is really providing good Community rugby at all levels for all abilities.