Match report - 8th Oct 2016

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 8th Oct 2016

Stoke on Trent 36pts v Sutton Coldfield 10pts

Midlands 1 West

Sutton's loyal travelling support suffered another disappointing away day, which at the start of play had promised a better result with Sutton dominating the scrums and forward exchanges providing a solid platform on which to build a convincing victory but during the full 80 minutes too many missed chances by Sutton handed the initiative to the bright young Stoke on Trent back division, who took full advantage of the Sutton errors in their 36-10 bonus point victory, outscoring Sutton 5 tries to 1.

Sutton kicked off in dry conditions with just a slight breeze to influence play but otherwise the playing conditions were very good and Sutton drove play deep into Stoke territory dominating the forward exchanges from the outset, catching the under pressure home side off side in midfield some 40 metres from goal. Sutton fly half Ben Morgan duly landed the penalty to give Sutton an early 3-0 lead after just 2 minutes of play and following the restart the visitors continued to pile on the pressure winning the scrums at will, underlined by taking the ball against the head on a regular basis and with the Sutton backs looking bright, the early signs suggested that the game would go well for Sutton.

Unfortunately, however during these early exchanges, whilst dominated by Sutton the penalty count went against Sutton costing them territory and possession and handing the initiative to the home side, who proved they had a lively young back division eager to run the ball at every opportunity. 15 minutes into the game Sutton were penalised for a high tackle against the hard running Stoke players but fortunately the 35 metre penalty drifted wide. However from the resulting 22 metre drop out to the Sutton left wing the ball was gathered cleanly by Stoke and carried back into the Sutton 22 with second row Callum Robb on hand to take the ball on to score to the right of the posts.

The conversion was missed but the try gave the home side a narrow 5-3 lead after 16 minutes of play, which was extended to 12-3 when second row Matt Hubbard drove over following a 5 metre lineout on the Stoke left wing, after Sutton had conceded another penalty, which Stoke kicked into the corner for a successful catch and drive leading to the score in the corner. Fly half Andy Marsh found his range with the difficult conversion to extend the Stoke lead after 25 minutes of play.

With the tables turning Sutton suffered a further set back with a yellow card 30 minutes into the game and Stoke immediately kicked the resulting penalty into the corner for another attacking lineout. The Stoke pack regained the ball and drove for the line but as Sutton stopped the drive short of the try line the Stoke scrum half Chris Rowley picked up at the base of the ruck and darted over for a smart score which was converted by Andy Marsh to take the Staffordshire side into the break with a 19-3 lead.

Sutton started the second half with a renewed vigour applying sustained pressure in the home 22 and consistently threatening the Stoke try line during the opening period but the home defence stood firm. Sadly 15 minutes into the second period of the game the home side suffered a serious injury as they once again boldly defended their try line with their bodies and a defender dislocated his shoulder, when preventing a Sutton surge to the line. With the player in considerable pain and unable to be moved the game was suspended for 15 minutes before moving onto an adjacent pitch so the ambulance would have free access to the stricken player.

With 25 minutes left to play the game resumed with a Sutton attacking scrum 5 metres from the Stoke try line on the Sutton left wing and as Sutton drove the scrum forward, second row Geo Ord picked up and drove over the line for his second try of the season. Ben Morgan added the conversion and Sutton were back in the game at 19-10 but Sutton were immediately punished for an infringement at the restart and Andy Marsh landed a 45 metre penalty to restore the lead to 22-10 with 24 minutes to play.

Sutton stepped up their game but 'when nothing goes right, everything goes wrong' and with Sutton running in for a much needed try they were called back for a forward pass and then a potential try scoring pass was intercepted by Stoke deep in their own half and Josh Partridge took full advantage of the gift as he raced into the Sutton 22. The Stoke player was chased down by the Sutton defenders but the ball went loose and Carl Robb was on hand to pick up the ball and carry it over the line for an opportunist score, which was converted by Andy Marsh, who was now missing nothing, to extend the Stoke lead to 29-10 midway through the second half.

Again Sutton tried to rally their forces as they continued to chase the game but the game would not run for them with handling errors and frustration creeping into their play... and in the end it was the victorious home side who closed out the game by creating an overlap on their right wing for Cameron Brown to score their fifth try of the day and with Andy Marsh adding a fine touchline conversion they completed an impressive 36-10 bonus point victory moving them up to 6th in the league, dropping Sutton one place to 9th in the league. Not yet in trouble but in need of a win!

On the plus side for Sutton the game saw a 1st XV debut for winger Dean Mannion-Quinn, who came off the bench to make his debut in the second half. Well done Dean.

This weekend Sutton take a break from the pressures of league rugby as they take on Broadstreet RFC from National League 3 in the semi-final of the Warwickshire Cup at Barker Butts RFC, Coventry. KO 3pm.

Other team results:

Sutton Development XV 17 pts v Nuneaton RFC 20 pts;

The Sutton Development side lost 20-17 in a rearranged game away to a Nuneaton XV after Stoke on Trent cried off their scheduled League fixture. On the plus side Sutton's player/coach Joe Gavin scored another excellent try in the narrow defeat but on the down side 18 year old Harry Bamber, who was having a great game, suffered a serious injury, rupturing his Achilles' tendon and all at Sutton wish him well for a speedy recovery.

Sutton 3rd XV v Stourbridge Lions;

The Sutton 3rd XV suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a strong Stourbridge Lions 2nd XV.