Match day report - 1st April 2017

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager.

The above photographs show the Sutton try scorers namely; Miles Gregory on the left, two try scorer George Ord top and Nathan Burchell bottom right.

Final score:

Clarification re match score: At the close of the game the score was shown as 41-26 on the Burton scoreboard and on our own score sheet but after the game the referee put the score on the official Match Result Card as 41-24 and this was the score that Burton rang through to the RFU results service with a deadline of 5pm. When the card was handed to Sutton the result had already been rung through and although the score shown was subsequently questioned with the referee and his assessor in the officials dressing room it was clear the referee had missed a Sutton conversion but as the two points in question would have no significant effect on the overall league standings and considering the complications of changing it, the score stood.

Match report:

Last weekend Sutton 1st XV suffered another disappointing away day defeat after a lack lustre first half display against third placed Burton left them trailing 27-5 at the break but a better second half performance by the visitors secured a bonus point for scoring four tries in the match and although losing the match 41-24 (which strictly should have been 41-26) Sutton had the consolation of knowing that the bonus point secured Midlands 1 rugby for them next season lifting them beyond the reach of the bottom three teams in the table and placed them in a respectable 8th place with two games to play to the end of a challenging season of mixed fortunes.

Sutton will be looking to win the next two remaining games to end the season on a high and set themselves up for a good start to next season but as to this game, on their return to the Burton ground after the leagues had kept the old rival clubs apart over recent seasons, Sutton's approach in the first half gave their fired up opponents every opportunity to dominate the play.

Sutton kicked off in dry clear conditions after an early threat of rain. In the opening exchanges Burton took possession and drove play back into the Sutton half where an early penalty against Sutton was kicked into touch for a lineout on the Sutton right wing inside their 22. Burton won possession from the lineout and ran the ball to their right across the pitch creating an overlap on their right wing and their captain and flanker Jack Beal raced into the right corner for the opening try after just 2 minutes of play.

The difficult conversion was missed but Burton held the initiative with a 5-0 lead and from the restart they again piled into Sutton, who defended well but successive penalties allowed the home side to keep the pressure on and 13 minutes into the game Burton attacked down their right wing and then swung the attack to the left wing creating an overlap for left wing Dan Grimsdell to race in for Burton's second try, which was converted by centre Dave Archer giving the annoying announcer and the home crowd a 10-0 lead to celebrate.

Around this time Sutton started to suffer further from injuries during the game, when already denied the services of stalwart prop Chris Hanley and back row Sam Harris due to injury before the game, Sutton's erstwhile front row replacement Jeff Large started the game at prop but suffered a severe ankle injury causing him to leave the field to be replaced by the very able Zac Loffman but then a head injury to centre Luke Stewart disrupted the back line and brought a not fully fit but combative Tom McNamee into play off the bench, all of which proved to be very unsettling for a Sutton side who were struggling with their form during the testing opening period of the game.

Sutton soldiered on and created a great scoring opportunity as they raced down their left wing at pace but what should have been the scoring pass on the Burton 22 was intercepted as the Burton winger raced back to cover and the chance was lost...but Sutton suffered further misfortune when from the ensuing play in midfield Burton launched a speculative kick down their left wing and as the Sutton defenders closed in on the ball it bounced back over their heads straight into the hands of the Burton full back Chaz Bunting, who grasped the ball and raced in for an opportunist try. Centre Dave Archer added the conversion and Burton extended their lead to 17-0 with 15 minutes of the first half played.

Just as Sutton could be forgiven for thinking this was not going to be their day with everything was against them including injuries, misfortune and errors in their play, all counting against them Sutton battled on with some great tackling and a determination and fighting spirit shown especially by the youngsters 18 year fly half Laurie Harries, who performed beyond his years under pressure and 20 year old wing Miles Gregory, who tackled well and called for a brave mark, whilst taking a high ball in his 22.

But in spite of Sutton's resolve Burton continued to dominate play and a penalty against Sutton for not rolling away from the tackle in their 22 allowed centre Dave Archer to kick the points to stretch the Burton lead to 20-0 with 10 minutes play to the break...and so the Burton attacks kept coming and hooker James Davies was the latest beneficiary when he broke free from a scramble in the Sutton 22 and he raced in between the posts for Burton's fourth try of the day earning them a bonus point as they chase Bournville for a playoff place at the top of the table. Again Dave Archer added the conversion to take the home side into a 27-0 lead 5 minutes before the break.

To their credit, although not at the top of their game the visitors came back hard at the restart and set up a great attack having regained the ball but a superbly illusive and penetrating run by left wing Nathan Burchell was forced into touch just short of the line. However, Sutton continued to press at the lineout and their pressure forced a penalty, which Sutton kicked accurately into the corner from which they won clean ball and from a catch and drive 2nd row George Ord was driven over for a great first half consolation try. Unfortunately, typical of the day, the well struck conversion from wide out on the left came back off the inside post and Sutton were denied the extra points from the final kick of the first half and the score stayed at 27-5.

Lifted by the late score and motivated by the halftime team talk, Sutton showed renewed spirit at the start of the second half and an inspired 50 metre break by winger Nathan Burchell took play into the Burton 22 almost straight from the kick-off. The winger was stopped short of the 22 but the ball was quickly fed out and a long pass taken low by right wing Miles Gregory put the winger outside his opposite number and the winger raced in for an outstanding try. Alex White added the conversion to bring Sutton back into the game at 27-12 with just 2 minutes of the second half played.

Sutton continued with their new found second half momentum competing well in a contest that was starting to even up after a frustrating first half but it took until midway through the second half before Sutton could trouble the scorekeeper with a further score.

With the midway point of the second half approaching Sutton set up an attack down their right wing and the ball was carried on at pace by Miles Gregory, who finding his way to the line blocked cut inside to find support in field from Ben Bottomley, Anton Taylor and others, who kept the play going as the ball was recycled from right to left before reaching left wing Nathan Burchell, who completed the run to the try line for an excellent score.

Alex White added the conversion and Sutton were back to within 8 points at 27-19 with 20 minutes to play but unfortunately Sutton were unable to maintain their momentum and Burton struck back with a try by fly half Harry Titley, who sent the defenders the wrong way in front of the Sutton posts and the fly half stepped in for a try under the posts, which was converted by Dave Archer to restore the Burton lead at 34-19 with 14 minutes to play.

Fighting to salvage something from the game Sutton continued to press and their efforts were rewarded when 2nd row George Ord scored his most outstanding second try of the day. With play milling around just outside the Burton 22 in midfield, the agile 2nd row player suddenly broke free and showing amazing pace and power the rangy player set course for the try line making a sweeping run to out pace the defenders to score a remarkable try to the left of the posts. Alex White added the conversion but for some reason the referee did not count it, so the score remained at 34-24 but the fourth try had gained Sutton an all important try scoring bonus point.

Unfortunately for Sutton having salvaged something from the game, it was Burton who had the best of the final period of play, as winger Lewis Brooks scored a fine solo effort from the Sutton 10 metre line as a missed tackle allowed the winger to pick up speed racing down the right wing and then cutting inside to score by the posts for an easy conversion by Dave Archer and a final recorded score of 41-24.

With the Sutton try scores of Nathan Burchell (1), Miles Gregory (1) and a brace for George Ord; it is fair to reflect that the young Miles Gregory is currently Sutton 1st XV's top try scorer with 10 followed for the backs by Tom McNamee with 9 but the top try scorer for the Sutton forwards is George Ord with 7 tries - well done all.

This weekend Sutton play their final home game and penultimate match of the season when they welcome Crewe & Nantwich RFC on their first visit to the RSG, Walmley Road for what should be a keen contest, with Crewe desperate to prove they are better than their precarious league position suggests and Sutton will be looking to return to their winning mind-set in preparation for the start of next season.

Sutton other team results:

The Sutton Development side took on a very strong Burton second team at the RSG last weekend but the Staffordshire side proved to be too strong on the day, with Sutton suffering a 27-14 defeat.