Match report - 3rd Dec 2016

David Daniels

SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 3rd Dec 2016

Sutton Coldfield 18 pts v Burton RFC 16 pts

Midlands 1 West

Last Saturday Sutton 1st XV showed dogged determination and a true fighting spirit mixed with a high level of skill, flair and commitment to overcome a high flying Burton side, who currently sit 3rd in the league and they lined up against a lowly Sutton side who languished next to the bottom of the league in 13th place at the start of play... but on the day it was the Sutton side who overturned the form book and triumphed with a well earned 18-16 victory over their old and respected rivals in an excellent and exciting game of rugby, which was a credit to both clubs, who are both going through a regeneration phase with Burton on paper just ahead of Sutton in the rebuilding and learning process.

In a close fought contest the lead switched on a regular basis after Sutton took a shock 7-0 lead just 2 minutes into the game. But following the perfect start by Sutton, Burton responded with a penalty for 7-3 on 8 minutes and then the visitors scored a try to take a 7-8 lead after 20 minutes. However, Sutton kicked a penalty to retake the lead at 10-8 on 25 minutes and then just before the break Burton kicked a second penalty to start the second half with a 10-11 slender lead, which they extended to 10-16 midway through the first half with a well taken try. At this point in the match with Sutton trailing by 6 points the momentum could have swung in favour of the form side but Sutton responded to the challenge magnificently and as a team they proved their mettle by scoring a well worked try by 20 year old right wing Miles Gregory to close to 15-16 with 10 minutes left to play. Unfortunately the conversion attempt drifted wide to deny Sutton the lead but undaunted Sutton continued to press and they were rewarded with a penalty on the edge of the Burton 22 with 5 minutes left to play and up stepped Sutton's 18 year old replacement fly half Laurie Harries to calmly drive the ball between the posts for the winning score. Sutton played out the final 5 minutes rebuffing the desperate onslaught by Burton, with a well organised brave defence and they displayed strong discipline to deny the visitors a kickable penalty in the closing minutes before the Sutton team, coaches, management and support staff plus supporters could celebrate a much needed and deserved victory.

To describe this outstanding game in more detail; Sutton kicked off in perfect dry conditions on the new International pitch at the RSG, where the excellent floodlights would be brought on at halftime to pierce the gathering gloom enabling the game to run its full coarse with good visibility. From the kick off Burton received the ball in their own half and sent a long clearance kick deep into the Sutton half, where it was caught safely by Sutton's fullback for the day Nathan Burchell. The elusive fullback evaded the first up chasers and set off at pace weaving his way through the heart of the Burton team veering to his right and taking play into the visitors 22 before the ball found its way to fly half (player/coach) Alex White, who drove over for a spectacular opening score. The fly half then added the touchline conversion of his own try to give Sutton the perfect start for a 7-0 lead after just 2 minutes of play.

True to their pedigree and league position Burton responded positively to falling behind and started to put Sutton under pressure but Sutton held up well holding back the charge, however, 8 minutes into the game Sutton were penalised for not releasing the player after the tackle and the Burton fullback Dave Archer converted the penalty from 40 metres in midfield to close to 7-3.

During the next period of the game the Sutton scrum was strong and with the lineout going well under the stewardship of hooker Jeff Large Sutton edged the battle of the packs in the early exchanges providing the Sutton back division with a good service, which they used well with penetrating runs by centres Tom McNamee and Luke Stewart keeping the pressure on the Burton defence.

Unfortunately, as the game developed the Sutton try scorer Alex White took a hard knock in the ribs/kidneys and had to leave the field to make way for 18 year old Laurie Harries to take his place at fly half from the bench. The early change gave the talented youngster a chance to show his developing skills as playmaker, with the ball in hand and especially his tactical kicking from hand, which he did exceptionally well.

However midway through the first half Burton found a way round the Sutton defence as outside centre Laurence Betty swept outside the Sutton backline to score in the left corner. The difficult conversion was missed but Burton moved into a narrow 7-8 lead, then 15 minutes before the break Sutton centre Tom McNamee landed a 35 metre penalty to regain the lead for Sutton at 10-8 but Burton completed the first half scoring with a second penalty for Dave Archer, when Sutton were caught off side to the left of the posts giving Burton a slender 10-11 lead at the break.

The third quarter of this compelling game was evenly matched with neither side taking the initiative but midway through the second half Burton broke the deadlock with a try for winger Jack Handy as he exploited an overlap on the left wing to score in the corner and extend their lead to 10-16 with 20 minutes to play.

Again the difficult conversion was missed but Sutton still trailed by 6 points, however rather than accept defeat the home side bravely defied the odds and stepped up their game against their formidable opponents with the second row pairing of Dean Harper, making a welcome return to first team action and the reliable power of George Ord to the fore, ably assisted by Sutton's very active back row, which this week included veteran Ben Bottomley, who brought his experience to bear at blind side flanker, as the home side set off in pursuit of the points they needed for victory.

Led by skipper Jack Woodcock at no8, Sutton reorganised their front row with prop Sean Harrison returning to the fray after being substituted and once again Sutton started to dominate the set plays during this critical final period of play and with fullback Nathan Burchell terrorising the Burton defenders every time he had the ball in hand, setting up successive counterattacks, the Sutton play was in the ascendency. This was ably demonstrated when Sutton ran the ball out of their own half and with skipper Jack Woodcock making the telling break in midfield the ball was carried deep into the Burton half before being transferred to right wing Miles Gregory, who raced down his wing with only the fullback to beat as he approached the try line at speed. The ace finisher stood the fullback up by feinting to go right but deftly cut inside to sweep past the defender for an excellent try to the right of the posts. Unfortunately, the attempted conversion drifted across the posts and the score stood at a tantalizing 15-16 with 10 minutes left to play.

Showing calm determination Sutton continued to build the pressure in the Burton half and their efforts won a penalty on the edge of the Burton 22 to the right of the posts. Sutton's young fly half Laurie Harries at just 18 years old after his birthday on the 7th December 2016 calmly landed the penalty and secured the match winning score to give Sutton an 18-16 lead with just minutes left to play.

The game was critical to the aspirations of both sides for very different reasons. Burton needed the win to keep the pressure on the league leaders and Sutton needed the win to help them escape from the relegation zone. Against this background Sutton played out the final minutes of a compelling contest defending their narrow lead with strong defence and mature discipline to avoid gifting a penalty to their increasingly desperate opponents as the visitors tried to salvage the game but Sutton held out and secured a morale boosting victory, hopefully setting them up for victory this coming weekend with renewed confidence and belief as they look to end the year on a high.

In a game with many hero's, prop Sean Harrison was nominated man of the match but also in contention were Nathan Burchell for his dazzling runs, Miles Gregory for his excellent try and Laurie Harries for his match winning penalty kick, with the result resting on his young shoulders. Mention should also be made of club stalwart hooker Jeff Large, flanker Sam Harris, who made an important impact from the bench in the closing phases of the game and 19 year old winger TJ Allwood, who was drafted into the starting XV at the last minute and once again punched above his weight.

This weekend Sutton travel up the M6 to play fellow strugglers at Crewe & Nantwich, who currently sit one place below Sutton but like Sutton they are fighting for survival and will be out to make it difficult for Sutton to build a winning run before Christmas. KO 2.15pm.

Sutton other team results:

Although depleted by losing quality players like Laurie Harries, TJ Allwood, Dean Harper and Sam Harris all of whom were called up to the 1st XV to cover for injuries and availabilities at first team level, the Sutton Development side travelled up the A38 with a bare 15 players to face a full squad representing Burton 2nd XV and although the Sutton lads gave a good account of themselves the full strength Burton side had the advantage and Sutton suffered a rare defeat although they did score a spectacular consolation try courtesy of Danny (Banko) Bancroft.

The Sutton 3rd XV had no game and the squad were able to enjoy a rest weekend before the Christmas programme kicks in.