1st XV Match report - 14th Sept 2019

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager.

Sutton Coldfield 12pts v Kenilworth RFC 45pts
Midlands 1 West

Unfortunately for a team struggling to discover their true form, in their first home game of the new season Sutton faced a side at the top of their game as a resurgent Kenilworth side returned to the RSG, Walmley Road for their first competitive appearance in many seasons after the teams were kept apart by the league structure over many years following the halcyon days when the clubs met on a regular basis.

Last weekends high flying visitors Kenilworth came to Sutton full of confidence after securing promotion at the end of last season, then they enjoyed a very successful pre-season with some notable victories followed by a convincing win in their opening league game to put them in third place after the opening round of games; whilst by contrast Sutton lost their opening game with a below par performance to put them in eleventh place in the table and although last weekends game followed the form book, in spite of the 45-12 score line it was an entertaining contest and not the one way affair the score line might suggest.

Kenilworth kicked off in bright sunshine on a perfect playing surface in front of a large home crowd and very quickly the visitors set out their intentions with their early attacking play. Although Sutton defended strongly they were on the wrong side of three penalty decisions by the referee in the first three minutes, allowing Kenilworth to keep Sutton pinned in their own half and after just 4 minutes of play Kenilworth opened up the Sutton defence when, with play progressing down the visitors left into the Sutton 22 play was switched from the left wing across the Sutton 22 and fly half Will Davies looped to outflank the Sutton defensive line to score in the right corner.

The conversion drifted wide but the visitors had moved into a 5-0 lead after 4 minutes of play, which prompted a good response from Sutton, who following the restart took the attack into their opponents half and with Jack Woodcock restored to the no 8 slot in the Sutton pack working well alongside flankers Rhoss Price and Jack Wells the Sutton scrum kept control against their illustrious opponents. However, although there were encouraging signs for Sutton they continued to concede penalties, which cost them territory and possession, then after 20 minutes it cost them a player, off with a yellow card...and just one minute later Kenilworth took advantage of the extra man when they took a tap penalty in the Sutton 22 and flanker Nick Gerber squeezed over for a try to the right of the posts, which fly half Will Davies converted to extend the lead to 12-0 after 21 minutes.

Again Sutton responded well with positive attacking runs from amongst others 2nd row Peter Meachin, happily restored to the pack after injury last season but after a typically penetrating run by the talented lock taking play into the Kenilworth 22 the ball was passed quickly to the left and with the line in sight what should have been the scoring pass was knocked on and play was brought back. All too typical of the simple errors that are affecting the Sutton game at present.

Although Sutton continued to compete and create chances it was the visitors who showed Sutton how to take the chances on offer, when first Kenilworth broke from their own 10 metre line down the right wing but although Suttons George Creedy overhauled the player and brought him down on the 22 metre line the player was able to off-load to winger Niall Beckett, who completed the run to the line for a spectacular try.

Will Davies added the conversion to stretch the lead to 19-0 with 25 minutes played before centre Bryn Grantham raced in to complete another long range score this time down the left wing and although the difficult conversion was missed Kenilworth extended their lead to 24-0 with 12 minutes to play to the break.

Although handling errors and basic mistakes were frustrating Sutton's players and spectators alike, to their credit the team kept playing and they showed their true spirit and commitment as with halftime approaching Sutton won a penalty, which fly half Ben Morgan kicked accurately into the right corner and having won the lineout cleanly Sutton drove for the line but as the maul crabbed in field a wide gap appeared on the blindside and quick thinking Tom Harris saw no 8 Jack Woodcock lurking with intent in space and he launched a high pass to the alert forward, who forced his way over in the right corner for a consolation try at the end of the first half.

Such was Sutton's day, Ben Morgan's conversion hit the post and bounced out leaving the score 5-24 at the start of the second half.

Unfortunately, the second half followed a similar pattern to the first with Kenilworth extending their lead to 31-5 after 10 minutes play in the second period, when hooker Luke Truslove grounded the ball after a catch and drive from a 5m lineout in the right corner, converted by Will Davies followed by a second try for centre Bryn Grantham, converted by Will Davies on 22 minutes to extend the score to 38-5, before Sutton brought excitement to the crowd with a good attacking movement moving right to left into the Kenilworth 22 but unfortunately the play was halted by the referee, quite rightly because the players were coming very close to an injured player on the ground, who was being treated by medical staff.

Play was restarted with a scrum to Sutton, still in a strong attacking position on the Sutton left just outside the Kenilworth 22. Sutton won the ball and attacked close to the try line setting up a driving maul to the left of the posts and Tom Harris, playing at flanker as cover for an injured player squeezed over for the try, which was converted by Ben Morgan to bring the score back to 12-38 with 8 minutes left to play.

Once again the sporting gods were not with Sutton, when they harshly received a yellow card for what was judged to be a dangerous tip tackle reducing Sutton to 14 men for the remainder of the game and Kenilworth needed no second invitation to take advantage of the extra man as Sutton lost the ball on their 10 metre line and centre Bryn Grantham raced in for his hat-trick try, which was converted by Will Davies for the final score of 45-12. The game was very entertaining but with a disappointing result for the Sutton team and their loyal supporters, who know the team is better than the 45-12 result would indicate. However, whatever, the shortcomings of Sutton, Kenilworth are a class team and we wish them well for the season and look forward to the return fixture 21st Dec 2019.

On the plus side for Sutton the game saw the welcome return of Jack Woodcock at no 8 after a 2 year sabbatical and Peter Meachin returning to the second row plus Jack Duthie continuing in the centre both returning after time out last season, all three operating alongside the young developing talent there is the team, with young Jonah Falconer doing a good job coming in at prop to replace the irreplaceable Sean Harrison, alongside veteran prop Dave Smith, who continues to impress, all guided and driven on the pitch by irrepressible captain and hooker Dean Ginn, which bodes well for the future.

Last Saturday at Sutton Coldfield RFC not only offered an excellent, if disappointing game of rugby for the home faithful but it also provided the setting to commemorate the handover of the club presidency from outgoing President Paul (Bodger) Rogers to the new President Del Green, who will no doubt fill the Big Boots of Bodger, in his own special style.

Bodger, who moved to the club from Yardley & District RFC many years ago has since served the club as a long standing player at all levels, before taking on the Presidency.In the early days of his presidency he continued to play and he became that rare phenomenon a Playing President.

He has served the club brilliantly as president for a full 15 years, representing the club at all the pre-match lunches at home and away and officiating on many other occasions in the bar and elsewhere. He has always supported the players and hopefully he will continue in his role as chairman of the club disciplinary committee. As he steps down he can be assured he carries the full respect, affection and admiration of the players at all levels within the club and we hope he continues to enjoy his time at the club for many years to come - continuing with his excellent Quiz Nights held in the Club bar the first Friday of every month. KO 7.30pm. All quizzers welcome

This weekend Sutton travel to Kidderminster RFC to again renew old acquaintances and Sutton will be looking to kick start their season with a good result. KO 3pm.