Match Report - 9th Sept 2017

Picture - SCRFC no8 and leader of the pack - George Ord#

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match Report - 9th Sept 2017

Sutton Coldfield 7pts v Dudley Kingswinford 28pts

Following their encouraging start to the 2017/18 season with victory away to Camp Hill on the opening day of the season the previous week, unfortunately for this testing game, Sutton had to make 8 changes to the 18 man squad, who had secured the opening day victory and although the incoming players all performed well, understandably the new look team took time to settle and Sutton were unable to take the chances they created against a well drilled D K side, who moved to the top of the table after a flattering 28-7 victory over the much changed Sutton side, pushing the Walmley Road men down from 6th to 10th place in the league of 14 teams.

In spite of the enforced changes brought on mainly by availability due to commitments outside rugby, Sutton started steadily but they came under immediate pressure as D K took the kick off in good conditions with the threat of light rain on a good playing surface and apart from the occasional breakout, Sutton were kept pinned in their own half for the opening quarter of the game.

Although under sustained pressure Sutton performed well in the forward exchanges, matching their strong opponents in the scrums and winning good lineout ball orchestrated by hooker Conor Thornycroft on their own throw but the well organised Dudley K side were very sharp to the breakdown and they kept the Sutton team on their toes and under pressure throughout the opening exchanges.

Sutton held strong against the constant onslaught but at a price when the newly installed Sutton fly half Jack Duthie, making his league debut, suffered an injury to his shoulder, which sadly prevented him continuing after a promising start. This change meant a realignment of the Sutton backline with Tom Harris moving from centre to fly half and Joe Gregory coming off the bench to complete the lineup.

Stepping in one place the new fly half teamed up with his scrum half partner Zac Tyler, who was making his first start for the 1st XV having debuted from the bench the previous week. The 20 year old made a confident start with some sharp breaks around the base of the scrum plus strong passes out to his fly half partner and showing courage in defence he made one outstanding try saving tackle under the posts causing the carrier to spill the ball winning Sutton a scrum to clear their lines.

Although Sutton defended well the pressure finally told and as D K drove into the Sutton 22, the play was stopped 10 metres from the try line on the Sutton left but with the home side scrambling to shore up their defence, the ball was swung infield and second row Peter Griffiths charged over the Sutton try line for the opening score. Duncan Tomkins added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Gathering the ball from the restart Sutton stepped up their play and raced into the Dudley K half setting up a great attacking position but unfortunately a carefully judged and well executed chip ahead by Tom Harris into space bounced deep into the opposition 22 and just evaded the chasing Sutton players, who knocked on as they went to ground the ball over the line...so close but no reward!

Encouraged by the good play Sutton pressed on in the D K half but then further problems ensued for the home side with inspirational skipper Sean Harrison having to leave the field with breathing difficulties due to a chest infection, which had not quite cleared. The captain was replaced by the very able Zac Loffman, who made a fine contribution with some charging runs later in the game and the Sutton cause was helped with half time approaching when the Sutton pressure led to yellow card for the D K right wing, who interfered with play in the visitors 22 preventing Sutton gaining advantage. Sutton opted to take a quick tap and charged for the line but the referee judged that the ball was held up over the line and Sutton was awarded a scrum 5...so close for a second time.

Sutton continued to attack from a scrum in midfield putting the D K defence under sustained pressure. As the play broke to the Sutton right Sutton had a four man overlap to go into the right corner but the ball carrier turned infield to be swallowed up by the grateful defenders and another chance went begging...so close again.

The first half ended with Sutton in the ascendency but the start of the second half was a disaster for the home side when first they received a yellow card when defending a D K drive in the Sutton 22 on the D K left wing after just 4 minutes... and then with D K opting for a scrum from the penalty the visitors spun the ball across the posts and attacked on their right wing, winning a 5 metre scrum in the Sutton left corner. From the scrum the attacking side were awarded a penalty try when Sutton stood up in the scrum and kicked the ball out of the scrum half's hands to prevent a possible score.

....and so after a promising end to the first half, 5 minutes into the second half Sutton found themselves 14-0 down and then after 10 minutes of play they went further behind when D K fullback Nick Adams went over for the visitors third try. In the build up to the try the D K pack attacked in mid-field before swinging the ball left putting the fullback into space to race over in the corner and come infield before grounding the ball giving Duncan Tompkins an easier conversion and D K a 21-0 lead with 10 minutes of the second half played.

To their credit Sutton continued to compete and take the game to their illustrious opponents coming back into the game with a fine piece of opportunism and awareness as a poor clearance by a D K defender went straight into touch on the Sutton left wing. Fly half Tom Harris gathered the ball in his own half and with only him touching the ball he raced down to where the miss kick had been taken in the D K half, to take a quick throw, all within the laws. Equally aware, Sutton's fullback Miles Gregory raced after his team mate to receive the throw and continuing his run he ran round the defenders to race to the try line and score a dramatic try to the left of the posts. Sutton centre Chris (Ducky) Duckworth added the conversion to bring Sutton into the game at 21-7 after18 minutes of play in the second half.

Unfortunately, although encouraged by the score the final quarter did not go Sutton's way and try as they may they were unable to add to their 7 points, only to suffer a second yellow card to deplete their strength in the final minutes but D K also lost a player to even things up. With just minutes remaining Sutton were pressing in the visitors 22 seeking a consolation score but the ball was lost and a breakout by Dudley K caught Sutton out of position allowing substitute Mitch Grealey to race in under the Sutton posts from 40 metres for a soft score and an easy conversion that flattered the new league leaders but on the day they deserved the victory and we at Sutton wish them good luck with the rest of the season.

Although disappointed with this loss in their first home game, there were many positives for Sutton to draw on from the game and the chances they created but did not take. Also to have to call on their reserve strengths so early in the season was both unwelcome but also encouraging in how well the new players slotted in against erstwhile opponents. Zac Tyler had a good first full game at scrum half and Jack Duthie made an impressive although short lived cameo appearance on his debut at fly half, before injury took him off and new signing Peter Meachin made an excellent debut in the second row alongside the combative Jamie Willetts and with Tom Foulshaw making a significant contribution at blindside flanker having been called up at short notice, all performed well albeit in a losing cause but things look good for the future. Tom Harris showed what a versatile back he is moving into the playmaker role at fly half and contributing hugely to the Sutton game having played centre in previous games and scrumhalf/fly half/centre when requested last season plus George Ord moved from his regular place in the second row to make a significant impact at no8.

This weekend Sutton travel down the M5 to Hereford RFC, who after two games sit 4 places above Sutton in 6th place having 2 points more, with the Green Army Supporters hoping that Sutton return to winning ways with a settled team to start the climb back up the table. KO 3pm

Sutton other team results:

Again Sutton's other teams suffered mixed fortunes this weekend with the Sutton 2nd XV, much depleted by call ups from the 1st XV, travelling into the Black Country and suffering a heavy defeat against a strong Dudley Kingswinford 2nd XV but the Sutton Colt's brought a smile to the faces of Sutton fans on Sunday 10th with a convincing 44-7 victory at home to Tamworth Colts in their league fixture.

The Sutton 3rd XV and Sutton Women's teams had no fixtures this weekend.