Match report - 16th Nov 2019

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Worcester RFC 20pts v Sutton Coldfield 17pts

Just as it appeared that Sutton 1st XV were getting their season back on track with an impressive bonus point victory over Stourbridge the previous weekend; last weekend they conspired to take a step backwards when a red card followed by a yellow card in the first half tested Sutton severely and led to a 10-7 deficit at the break but an impressive fight back against the odds in the second half saw Sutton take a 17-10 lead going into the last 16 minutes, only for a penalty followed by a breakaway try in the closing minutes to deny Sutton the hard earned victory their brave performance deserved as they slipped to a 20-17 defeat with their only consolation a losing bonus point but the spirit and ability in the team will see them recover from this latest setback.

Sutton kicked off in dry, bright overhead conditions on a good pitch considering the recent rains and they took play deep into the Worcester half for the opening exchanges. Although Sutton held the territorial advantage, the possession was evenly shared during the opening 10 minutes but Worcester broke out and won a penalty on their first incursion into Sutton territory. Unfortunately a Sutton player spoke out of turn to the referee, who advanced the kick 10 metres giving centre Oliver Meadows a 25 metre kick to the right of the posts and the centre landed the kick to give the home side a 3-0 lead after 12 minutes of play.

Sutton responded well to falling behind against the run of play and just 2 minutes latter they manufactured a great scoring opportunity for left wing George Creed.

In the build up to the try flanker Luke Stewart stole the ball from a Worcester line out on the Sutton right around the halfway line and the ball was quickly spun from right to left with fullback Ben Morgan entering the line at speed to take play up to the Worcester 22 before delivering the ball to left wing Creed, who still had plenty to do as he cleverly stayed inside the touchline and sped past two defenders to score in the left corner. Ben Morgan then landed a perfectly judged conversion to give Sutton a deserved 7-3 lead with 14 minutes on the clock setting Sutton up perfectly to carry on where they had left off the previous weekend...

However it was not to be as during the next period frustration grew in the ranks of both teams and when a skirmish erupted off the ball the referee turned to see a Sutton player lash out in retaliation resulting in a red card against Sutton with 25 minutes played and then 5 minutes later the situation was compounded further when Sutton received a yellow card for not retreating 10 metres following a quick tap penalty in the Sutton 22 and the visitors found themselves reduced to 13 players up to the break.

In spite of their reduced numbers during this period of play Sutton played well and created chances with the scrums holding up well and Sutton dominated the lineouts throughout the game. Unfortunately however, as good as the depleted Sutton pack was playing in the scrums they came under pressure at a scrum on their own try line and the referee awarded a penalty try against Sutton on the stroke of half time to end a challenging first half with Sutton trailing 10-7.

Restored to 14 men 2 minutes into the second half Sutton stepped up the pressure again and from a 5 metre attacking scrum on the Worcester try line to the left of the posts the 7 men in Sutton pack won good ball and the play was taken to the right across the face of the posts before fly half Lewis Beaty cut back ducking inside the Worcester defenders to score an excellent try to the right of the posts which Ben Morgan converted to take Sutton back into the lead at 14-10 with 7 minutes of the second half played, then 24 minutes into the second period the trusty left boot of the fullback was called on again to extend the Sutton lead to 17-10 with 16 minutes left to play.

With the clock running down, outnumbered but full of fight Sutton were holding out well but first a scrum infringement in the Sutton 22 led to a penalty by Olly Meadows to close the score to 17-13 and then straight from the restart Worcester gathered the ball and they made the extra man count as they sent left wing Sam Harper racing down the unmarked left touchline to score a 50 meter breakaway try to snatch the lead back at 18-17 and then centre Oliver Meadows added the extra points with a perfect touchline conversion to settle the game in their favour at 20-17.

In the remaining minutes of injury time the Sutton hero's could not secure the 3 points they needed for a draw or the 5 points required for victory but on the final whistle they did have the small satisfaction and comfort from their gallant opponents, players, coaches and supporters who graciously conceded that Sutton had been the better team on the day and deserved the win but such is the cruel nature of sport that the best team does not always win on the day and Sutton live to fight another day... with very best wishes to Worcester for the rest of the season until we meet them again in the return fixture at Sutton, March 2020.

Unfortunately the game also added to Sutton's list of injured players with last seasons club captain and main stay prop Sean Harrison having to leave the field early in the first half after a recurrence of a neck injury to be replaced in the front row by the erstwhile Dave Smith, who held up his end magnificently for the rest of the game. Sutton's inspirational centre Nathan Burchell also had to retire after breaking two bones in his hand and influential no8 Jack Woodcock had to leave the game early after taking a heavy knock plus fly half Lewis Beaty limped off the field at the end of the game to add to Sutton's concerns. We wish all the injured players a speedy recovery.

This weekend Sutton welcome the players, officials and supporters of Whitchurch RFC to the RSG, Walmley Road, hoping for better luck and a more rewarding outcome as they take on a form team currently sitting in 6th place, one place above Worcester from last week. KO 2.15pm.

Match summary:

Bournville 3rd XV RFC 23pts v Sutton Coldfield 2nd XV 22pts

Sutton 2nd XV descended on Avery Fields, Birmingham, home of Midlands Premier Side Bournville late Saturday afternoon for a 4.30pm KO on the all weather pitch, to take on their 3rd XV following Sutton's 44-0 victory just a few weeks ago but this time Sutton encountered a much strengthened team with the Bournville 2nd XV game cancelled.

In the event what transpired was a highly competitive, close fought game, which Sutton were leading 22-16 with minutes to play only to lose by a late try and a well struck touchline conversion in the last minute of the compelling contest.