David Daniels 1st XV Manager

After a break of two weeks due first to league scheduling and then the heavy snowfall, which prevented play on 3rd Mar, last weekend Sutton 1st XV returned to league action, following their epic victory over 4th place Stoke on 17th Feb and the spirited Sutton side picked up where they left off before the enforced break hitting top form again as they recorded an impressive 37-10 victory over visitors Worcester Wanderers, who currently sit 9th in the league.

This latest victory means that Sutton have won 3 of their last 4 games, their only defeat falling to league leaders Burton but in the other 3 games Sutton have recorded convincing victories over Rugby Lions, home (43-17), Stoke, away (17-32) and now Worcester, home (37-10) strengthening their league position with hopes growing for survival in this league.

At last Sutton 1st XV are doing themselves justice and getting the results their play deserves. Backed up by their recent superb win at Stoke on Trent Sutton produced another fine performance at the RSG beating an in form Worcester side comprehensively 37-10 to earn a try bonus point and in doing so secure back to back wins for the first time since January 2016.

On a day when club captain Sean Harrison made his 150th 1st XV appearance for the club he has served faithfully for many years, starting in the second row in his formative years before becoming a fixture and force in the front row over many years, Sutton led 20-3 at the break thanks to tries from Tom Burrows(2) and 17 year old flanker Kieran Henderson. Leading scorer Burrows is in a rich vein of form, his brace giving him an impressive 12 tries in his first season at this level following his summer move from Old Saltleians. Fly half Ben Morgan whose astute kicking kept the side moving forward all day added a penalty and conversion with the only response from the visitors being a penalty from Oliver Meadows.

The first half unfolded with Sutton kicking off in light drizzle but with a good pitch underfoot and it was the visitors who made the early running applying fierce pressure in the Sutton half and forcing Sutton back into their own 22 for the opening 5 minutes. However, Sutton defended well against the initial onslaught and eventually won turnover ball allowing them to clear their lines through the trusty boot of fly half Ben Morgan. The ball was cleared deep into the Worcester half and winger Chris Duckworth was unlucky not to score as he chased the ball to the try line but Sutton were up and running and looking strong.

11 minutes into the game Sutton set up the first try for winger Tom Burrows, when fullback Nathan Burchell, received the ball in his own half and set off on one of his mazzy runs racing into the Worcester half before chipping ahead to send the ball bouncing towards the Worcester try line. Sutton right wing Tom Burrows gave chase and the wily flyer had the pace and the skill to beat the Worcester defenders in the race to ground the ball over the try line.

Fly half Ben Morgan added the conversion and then midway through the first half the fly half added a penalty, when Worcester were caught offside on their 22 as they tried to defend a typically penetrating break by Sutton no8 Luke Stewart. The penalty extended the Sutton lead to 10-0 after 20 minutes of play.

4 minutes later barnstorming Sutton set up another try scoring opportunity for winger Tom Burrows, who broke through a tackle on the visitors 22 and he raced on to score wide out on the right wing extending the lead to 15-0 before young flanker Keiran Henderson emerged from a scramble of bodies on the Worcester try line to claim a third try for Sutton further extending the lead to 20-0 with 8 minutes left to play to the break.

In the intervening time Worcester won a penalty in the Sutton 22 and centre Oliver Meadows lifted the score to 20-3 at the break.

Worcester briefly threatened a comeback at the start of the 2nd half with a period of sustained possession and territory and their efforts were rewarded when lock forward Tom Dodge forced his way over from close range; Meadows added the extras to trim the Sutton lead to 20-10, with 8 minutes of the second half played.

However, that was as good as it got for the visitors as the home side ran away with the game in the last quarter thanks to cracking tries from the mercurial Nathan Burchell, his 158th for the Club, cutting in off the right wing to race in under the posts for Sutton's bonus point try on the 60 minute mark and Ben Morgan with his 2nd of the season raced in for a deserved try after good work by centre Jack Duthie, who continues to impress in the excellent partnership established with fellow centre Paul Spiby. For good measure Morgan converted both tries and also added a penalty to put the final nail in the coffin of the well beaten Worcester side.

Sutton can celebrate another outstanding team performance with the back row of Mike Burns, Kieran Henderson and the irrepressible Luke Stewart to the fore, along with the outstanding 2nd row paring of Peter Meachin and Harry Moxon who both continue to impress.

Great also to see the welcome return of valued ex-prop Liam Hills, who has re-joined Sutton this week ‘on loan’ from Leicester Lions to the end of the season. It is good to see 'old boy' Liam back out there in a green jersey and making a significant difference both in the set scrums and with his dynamic play in the loose.

Although Sutton gave away too many penalties, particularly at scrum time, the side defended resolutely as a team and in truth their try line was rarely threatened. Half backs Tom Harris and Ben Morgan controlled proceedings expertly and with a little more accuracy with ball in hand Sutton could have and should have added to the 5 try tally, having left a few scores out there but the final score of 37-10 with a try scoring bonus point secured met all the demands made on the team and its good to know there is still more to come...

After their latest win Sutton are up to 12th in the table with 5 games to play and 7 points to make up on 11th place Rugby Lions and safety.

This weekend Sutton are at home to Stourbridge Lions after the original fixture fell victim to the recent weather. The rearranged fixture will be played under floodlights on the International Pitch, at the RSG, Walmley Road, on Friday evening 16th Mar kick off is at 7.45pm.

The evening offers a feast of floodlit competitive league rugby followed by a social occasion that only a rugby club can provide, with the final 6 Nation's matches to follow on the Saturday!

Team: Sean Harrison(Capt), Dean Ginn, Dave Smith, Harry Moxon, Peter Meachin, Mike Burns, Kieran Henderson, Luke Stewart, Tom Harris, Ben Morgan, Chris Duckworth, Jack Duthie, Paul Spiby, Tom Burrows, Nathan Burchell. Subs(used): Liam Hills, Jamie Willetts, Tom McNamee.

The table published by Pichero on our website is wrong.
To see an accurate league table:
http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/midlands-division/2017-2018/group/22845#/results