Match report - 16th Sept 2017

Picture: SCRFC 1st XV one of the try scorers Ollie Green dives over from close range.

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

After three games Sutton have a complete set of results with 1 away victory, 1 home defeat and 1 away defeat leaving them 11th in the M1W league table of 14 teams but Sutton have not played badly in any of the games and they have created chances showing that they have the talent and potential to win games at this level, if they can just field a settled side and take the chances they create.

Once again the Tuesday night team selection was thwarted by late cry- offs starting on Thursday evening with an injury to centre Tom Harris in training to be replaced by Luke Stewart, who relocated from no8 to centre, followed by 2nd row Peter Meachin failing to recover from illness on Friday evening and then an injury to fellow 2nd row Jamie Willetts in the warm-up just before the game meant Sutton had to bring on substitute prop Luke Hennessy, with skipper Sean Harrison moving from prop into the second row to join hero Dean Harper, who had to be called up from his coaching role and out of retirement for the second time on Friday evening to replace the ailing Peter Meachin and George Ord moved from second row to replace Luke Stewart at no8...and so another new look Sutton side started the game but with only two sub's left on the bench.

In spite of the last minute changes Sutton started the game well enough and after taking the kick off in pleasant conditions on a firm pitch, the visitors took the game to their opponents to apply early pressure in the Hereford half... but 6 minutes into the game and against the run of play, Hereford latched onto a loose ball and broke out of their own half racing up to the halfway line. Unfortunately a missed tackle in midfield allowed the Hereford backs to continue the run up the left wing and centre Simon Mifflin raced in on the overlap to score under the posts. Fly half Bryn Goodall added the conversion to take a 7-0 lead to the delight of the vocal home support.

Sutton rallied and continued to attack in the Hereford 22 but first a long range penalty attempt drifted just wide and then a strong attacking run into the right corner was held-up over the line. From the ensuing 5 metre scrum Sutton won good ball, which they tried to force over the line in successive drives before releasing the ball to the backs. The ball was quickly spun from right to left across the face of the posts but again the attack was stopped short of the line and Sutton were penalised for not releasing the ball after the tackle allowing Hereford to clear their lines down their right touchline.

The relieving kick took play to the halfway line and Hereford won the lineout ball then drove forward winning a second penalty, which was kicked into the Sutton 22 and from the resulting lineout Hereford won possession. Following the catch and drive, hooker Lewis Jordan was driven over for Hereford's second try and a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The pattern of the game as it developed was unfortunately similar to last seasons experience at Hereford, with Sutton applying plenty of constructive pressure but with no reward and then being punished by a lapse leading to missed chances or penalties costing the visitors field position and possession, giving the home side chances to score, which they did in both games.

Although trailing Sutton were producing some strong play in the forwards, with good scrums and line out play and the backs at times were running well with scrum half Zac Tyler operating well at the base of the scrum but the normal fluency of the Sutton game would not flow and promising attacks broke down too easily handing the initiative to their grateful opponents, who were quick to take advantage. With halftime approaching a Sutton attack broke down and the ball was lost on the halfway line. 2nd row Gareth Jones was the beneficiary of the loose ball and the rangy 2nd XV found himself racing over the halfway line travelling deep into Sutton territory behind the Sutton defenders. As the defenders closed in the 2nd row skilfully passed outside to hooker Lewis Jordan, who was running in support to complete the run to the try line scoring to the left of the posts. Bryn Goodall added the conversion to stretch the Hereford lead to 19-0 with 5 minutes left to play to the break.

In the closing minutes of the first half Sutton picked themselves up and went back on the attack taking play into the Hereford 22 but once again their efforts were frustrated and although they finished the half strongly the scoreboard stayed at 19-0 against them.

To their credit Sutton started the second half strongly but it was Hereford, who again took the initiative after the break with a strong run down the left wing and good inter-passing saw the Hereford fullback cross to claim a 4th bonus point try for the jubilant Hereford side and the conversion extended their lead to 26-0 with 10 minutes of the second half played.

Undaunted, Sutton showed real spirit and renewed purpose in the closing period of the game and led by Sutton's man of the match Geo Ord playing at no8 for the second week running, ably assisted by openside flanker Rhoss Price, who was also a strong contender for Sutton's man of the match, the visitors took the game to their opponents and 25 minutes into the second half their efforts were rewarded when Geo Ord burst through the defenders on the line to score under the posts, following a quickly taken tap penalty.

Unfortunately, taken in haste to get the game restarted, the conversion went wide and Sutton had to settle for 5 points but at least they were on the scoreboard at 26-5 with 15 minutes to play.

Hereford restarted and tried to cancel the Sutton score immediately with a try of their own under the Sutton posts but an excellent try saving tackle by an ailing Miles Gregory at fullback saved the day for Sutton and they were able to clear their lines before launching an attack which brought play to within metres of the Hereford try line leading to a 5 metre attacking scrum for Sutton. On as a substitute at scrum half Ollie Green fed the scrum and then as the ball came free the scrum half was quick to pounce and claim a try to the left of the posts. Again Sutton took a quick drop goal conversion this time by fly half Ben Morgan to bring Sutton back to 26-12 with 10 minutes to play but unfortunately it was Hereford who had the last word with a penalty for Bryn Goodall in front of the Sutton posts and a final score of 29-12.

This weekend Sutton welcome Lutterworth RFC to the RSG, Walmley Road as newcomers to the Midlands 1 West league and we look forward to a good game of rugby followed by traditional rugby club hospitality in the bar afterwards. KO 3pm.

Sutton other team results:

With the Sutton 1st and 2nd teams plus supporters sharing a coach to Hereford, the Sutton second team lightened the mood on the coach for the return journey with an excellent 29-27 over a strong Hereford 2nd XV. Victory came with a try in the last minute of a very close game with Sutton reduced to 14 players for the last 20 minutes as Tom Foulsham, was also down as a substitute for the beleaguered 1st XV and was called into the senior side when injuries took their toll in the Midlands 1 West fixture. As always Tom 'the warrior' served both sides magnificently on a demanding day.

In the meantime on the Sunday, the Sutton Colts suffered a rare defeat losing 32-26 away to D K Colts but the Sutton Women beat Cannock Women 17-15 at Cannock.