Match report - 8th April 2017

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

The photo shows Sutton fullback Nathan Burchell scoring Sutton's 6th try of the day after a dazzling 50 metre run to the line to score under the posts making the game safe for Sutton at 37-24.

In their last home game of the season and in front of a large crowd, which was swelled by the 'past players', who had enjoyed their annual Old Players lunch in the clubhouse before the game; the current Sutton 1st XV sparkled in the bright spring sunshine during the first 40 minutes of a keenly fought contest, as Sutton ran in 3 excellent tries and added a conversion and a penalty to lead 20-0 at the break against a spirited Crewe & Nantwich side who were fighting for their very survival in this league as they came into the game sitting in 13th place deep in the relegation zone, which takes down teams in 12th, 13th and 14th place.

Knowing only a win in this penultimate game of the league season would give them any hope of survival, to their credit the visitors put up a real fight at the start of the second half and they scored a converted try to close to 20-7 within 2 minutes of the restart. Sutton responded well to score a try for 25-7 but Crewe bounced back with a try to claw back to 25-12 before Sutton scored again to establish an 18 point lead at 30-12...but with 15 minutes left to play Crewe were not finished yet and they scored successive tries one of which was converted to close to within 6 points setting up a dramatic finale at 30-24 with 10 minutes left to play. Sensing this was their chance Crewe went for the winning converted try and it took strong defence by Sutton to deny the visitors the lifeline they were fighting for. Although they had been on the ropes for a spell Sutton held out and then set up a counter attack from which fullback Nathan Burchell completed a fine afternoon's work with a superb solo run as he broke clear on the halfway line. The illusive runner raced down the right wing at pace before cutting infield to end with a spectacular dive under the posts having outpaced the would be defenders.

Alex White added the simple conversion to complete the scoring in the 37-24 victory giving Sutton a maximum 5 league points, whilst the disappointed Crewe team and their travelling support had to settle for a single losing bonus point, which condemns the Cheshire side to level 7 rugby next season, whilst Sutton move up to 7th in the league and they will be looking to improve their standing in Midlands 1 West in the new campaign.

To add names to the other scorers and details to the events; Sutton kicked off in bright sunshine and applied early pressure which led to a penalty for centre Alex White, who landed the 35 metre kick to give Sutton an early 3-0 lead after just 3 minutes of play. Sutton continued to press competing well in the scrums and lineouts and with young Laurie Harries controlling things at fly half Sutton looked very sharp and threatening. A break by the enterprising fly half took play up the right wing deep into Crewe territory and then as the move broke down play was switched infield going right to left but outside centre Luke Stewart took a perfect line moving against to travel of the ball and he raced through a gap in the midfield defence to score to the right of the posts.

Unfortunately the conversion drifted wide but Sutton had extended their lead to 8-0 with 7 minutes played but Sutton pressed on in the bright sunshine and 10 minutes later right wing Miles Gregory put a smile on the Sutton faces as he raced in for Sutton's second try after he came in off his wing to take a slip pass following a break in mid-field by Alex White and the winger showed what an ace finisher he is as he crossed the try line. Alex White added the conversion to give Sutton a 15-0 lead after 17 minutes, which was extended to 20-0 virtually straight from the restart when player/coach Alan Keylock showed he's still got it as he emerged from a melee in the Crewe 22 after centre Luke Stewart raced deep into Crewe territory before being hauled down. Sutton were quick to contest at the breakdown and Key's the forwards coach playing hooker in this game claimed the ball and strode over for Suttons 3rd try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed but Sutton moved into a 20-0 lead midway through the first half.

In the second quarter the intensity of the contest continued at a pace and Sutton suffered a yellow card for not using their arms in the tackle and Sutton were reduced to 14 men with no other scores leading up to the break.

Faced with a 20-0 deficit and their season dissolving in front of them Crewe came out for the second half with a new intensity and within 2 minutes they were on the score sheet with a converted try, when front row replacement Chris Sproson charged over from close range for a try under the posts after sustained pressure by the visiting pack had kept Sutton under sustained pressure from the halftime restart. No 8 Oli Buckley added the conversion and the score moved on to 20-7.

Sutton responded immediately and stepped up their play such that 6 minutes later a clever cross field kick by Sutton's young scrum half Ollie Green aged 20, who was successfully paired for a first 1st XV start with 18 year old fly half Laurie Harries, sent a well judged cross field kick across the Crewe 22 and right wing Miles Gregory rose high to prevent the ball going into touch, instead knocking it back into the hands of flanker Jack Braniff, who gathered the ball and raced in for an excellent try in the right corner securing a bonus point for a 4th try and extending Sutton's lead once again to 25-7 with 8 minutes of the second half played.

In a high scoring second period Chris Sproson showed his appetite for the game when he drove over for his second try after successive drives by the strong Cheshire pack brining them back to 25-12 with 15 minutes played and then Sutton's Ollie Green got on the score sheet when he foraged under the Sutton pack to claim the touchdown as Sutton drove over the Crewe try line 15 minutes left to play taking the score line to 30-12.

With the game slipping away Crewe redoubled their efforts and were rewarded when hooker Eli Woodward drove through a ruck of players on the Sutton try line to bring the score back to 30-17 and then an outstanding breakaway try down the left wing by outside centre Joe Gammage brought the score to 30-22 and a fine conversion by Oli Buckley brought Crewe to within 6 points with a try scoring bonus giving them 2 bonus points in the game but it was not enough and they had to go for the win in the final 10 minutes.

Crewe threw everything they had into a final assault and although they came close camped on the Sutton try line applying sustained pressure Sutton held firm and then the home side broke the stranglehold setting up the final flourish as their fleet-footed fullback Nathan Burchell raced in from 50 metres to score under the posts giving player/coach Alex White a simple conversion to seal the 37-24 victory, which also sealed their opponents fate, whilst giving the Sutton team and their loyal supporters something to celebrate ahead of the final game of the season.

This weekend Sutton take a break from league rugby over the Easter holidays and they return to league action for the final game of the season away to old rivals Dudley Kingswinsford, who sit 5th in the league, on Sat 22nd April. KO 3pm.

Coaches have been laid on for the Sutton team and supporters so all can celebrate the end of the season with a night out in the Black Country on the Saturday evening. Tickets are available at the club and all are welcome to join in the celebrations but you must have a ticket. Contact club chairman Jim Haywood for further details.