Match report - 7th Dec 2019

Picture - Congratulations to Ben Morgan who, during the course of the game at Droitwich on Saturday, brought up 500 points in the 1st XV

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 7th Dec 2019

Droitwich RFC 27pts v Sutton Coldfield 20pts

Unfortunately, last Saturday's 1st XV fixture against Droitwich RFC, a team who are starting find their form and confidence after beating Stoke 36-0 the previous week, went the way of many other games this season with a strengthened Sutton side playing some good rugby and dominating much of the play and territory... but two breakaway tries against the run of play in the first half left Sutton trailing 12-3 at the break and although Sutton stepped up their game to close to 12-10 in the opening minutes of the second half, which advanced to 15-13 on 53 minutes, with both sides exchanging penalties; another brief period of loose play by Sutton allowed their opponents in for two more tries to extend the deficit to 27-13 midway through the second half.

However, showing their true collective spirit Sutton pressed hard in the closing quarter of the game to score a consolation try, calmly converted by fly half Ben Morgan to bring up the final score of 27-20, securing a losing bonus point, which could make all the differemce at the end of a challenging season.

...but maybe more significant and typical of their season to date Sutton again suffered serious injuries to key players with influential centre Jack Duthie suffering a broken collarbone and inspirational no8 Peter Meachin sustaining damage to his leg around the knee area both having to retire during the hectic first half with Zac Tyler replacing Jack Duthie to play alongside Chis Hendley in the centre and Jamie Willetts making a welcome return to 1st XV duties as replacement for Peter Meachin, after a long absence - prompting the plea, if only all the powerful and most skilful players could be available at the same time in the same team instead of gaining one to lose another!!

Droitwich kicked off on a soggy pitch but in dry overhead conditions and a break by Sutton took play straight back into the Droitwich half where Sutton applied all the early pressure but over eagerness led to two successive penalties being conceded by Sutton allowing Droitwich to take play back into the Sutton half and a break in midfield allowed the ball to be swept out to the left wing where outside centre Dawid Jension was free to race in for the opening try in the Sutton right corner.

The difficult conversion drifted wide but the home side had made the early break through to lead 5-0 after 5 minutes of play, however, Sutton responded well to the deficit and on 10 minutes the Droitwich backs were caught off side in front of their posts 24 metres out and Sutton fly half Ben Morgan landed the straight forward kick to close to 5-3 after 10 minutes of play.

The play continued with Sutton showing good positive signs, the more powerful Sutton pack were performing well dominating the scrums and lineouts, powered by the return of prop Liam Hills, who was making his first start after returning to the area to resume his playing career with Sutton. The possession won by the forwards was put to good use by the backs and Sutton were unlucky not to take the lead 25 minutes into the game when excellent attacking play by the Sutton backline swept the ball from right to left into the hands of left wing George Creed, who rounded the final defender to race to the try line but was called back for a foot in touch, which denied the winger a deserved try - an inch can make all the difference.

During this period of play Sutton took consecutive steals against the Droitwich throw at the lineout but they also lost Jack Duthie from the backs and Peter Meachin from the forwards due to injury. However, Sutton continued to apply sustained pressure on the Droitwich try line but were again denied when driving for the line it was judged that they lost the ball forward over the try line and Droitwich were awarded a 5 metre scrum allowing them to clear their line and relieve the pressure. As Droitwich broke out from their own half Sutton dropped the ball on the halfway line and the ball was hacked on deep into the Sutton half. Centre Matt Handford gathered to beat the recovering Sutton defenders and score in the left corner. Versatile hooker Matt Tranter added the tricky conversion and once again Sutton were left to reflect that after dominating possession and territory for 30 of the first 40 minutes they were going into the break trailing 12-3.

After due reflection Sutton made a determined and positive start to the second period and applied early pressure in the Droitwich half winning a penalty in mid-field which was kicked into the right corner for a lineout 5 meters out. Sutton's lineout specialist Harry Moxon won clean ball and the Sutton pack set up a drive creeping towards the Droitwich try line crabbing in field as they progressed before no 8 Jack Ward broke off the side of the maul to charge over for an excellent try to the right of the posts Ben Morgan added the conversion to close to 12-10 with 5 minutes of the second half played and Sutton back in the game.

An exchange of penalties first to Droitwich on 50 minutes kicked by Matt Tranter and then to Sutton on 53 minutes kicked by Ben Morgan advanced the score to 15-13 but just as Sutton appeared to be taking control on 55 minutes Droitwich no 8 Phil (Pikey) Horton emerged from a lineout on the halfway line on the Droitwich right and cutting inside he raced through a missed tackle to get behind the Sutton defensive line and the long striding back row player pounded his way to the posts for a spectacular solo try, which was converted by the remarkable Matt Tranter to extend the lead to 22-13...and then 5 minutes later Sutton were stunned again when a breakout by Droitwich took the ball up their left wing and good interplay put hooker Matt Tranter in for a surprise try in the left corner taking the score to 27-13 with 20 minutes to play.

Stunned but still up for the challenge Sutton brought on their new front row signing Taboka Habvane to make his debut in the final quarter of the match in place of livewire prop Liam Hills, who is still building his match fitness but the indomitable Dave Smith did a full 80 minute shift in the front row alongside skipper Dean Ginn, who led by example and although it was in a losing cause the Sutton pack produced one of their best performances of the season...and so with time running out Sutton camped on the Droitwich try line applying sustained pressure with 5 successive scrums, all collapsed with penalties awarded against the home pack but no penalty try, until Sutton's acting no 8 jack Ward picked up from a forward drive to force his way over for his second try of the day, which was converted by the calm boot of Ben Morgan to secure a losing bonus point in a disappointing 27-20 defeat.

This weekend Sutton welcome the players, officials and supporters of league leaders and old rivals Dudley Kingswinford to the RSG, Walmley Road for the last game in the first half of the season, with the two teams at opposite ends of the table but hopefully the game will provide the inspiration Sutton need to produce the level of rugby they are capable of over the full 80 minutes of the game. KO 2.15 pm.

Match summary reports - Sat 7th Dec 2019:

Sutton 2nd XV 52pts v Telford 2nd XV 5pts

Pool fixture

The scheduled fixture for Sutton's second string was cancelled in midweek when their opposition Veseyans cried off but happily Telford Hornets sportingly stepped into the void so the game could go ahead and they provided honourable opposition against a strong Sutton team in an enjoyable game at the Roger Smoldon Ground, Walmley Road.

Under manager Simon Davies and coach Dan Wells the Sutton second string are hitting top form and in this rearranged home fixture they raced into a 27-0 lead at the break and went on to win 52-5, scoring 10 tries overall with an outstanding display of running rugby, whilst restricting their erstwhile opponents to a solitary try.

The 10 try spree was led by Tom Willias, who scored a hat-trick, followed by Joe Gregory and Miles Gregory respectively, who each scored a brace and Clive Lamb, Ian Wilson plus Rob Haigh, all scored a try each. Miles Gregory added a conversion to his try tally as he celebrated his return to rugby action after a long absence due to niggling injuries - welcome back Miles!

Bournville Ladies 10pts v Sutton Coldfield Ladies 34pts

Women's NC 2 Midlands (North)

Last Saturday the fledgling Sutton Ladies 2nd XV travelled into Birmingham to the home of Midlands Premier Club Bournville RFC for their scheduled league fixture against the club's Ladies XV and the Sutton Ladies second string demonstrated their impressive development over the recent weeks with a convincing 34-10 bonus point victory.

The Sutton Ladies made an impressive start with Katie Gregory scoring a try in the first 5 minutes, followed by a try for Jo Hart on 15 minutes and with Kerrie-Anne Melsom adding both conversions Sutton raced into 14-0 lead but this was pegged back to 14-5 on the stroke of halftime when Heida Hoffman went in for an unconverted try for Bournville.

Again Sutton had the best of the second half with a try for Kerrie-Anne Melsom on 37 minutes plus two more tries for Katie Gregory to complete an excellent hat-trick with Bournville gaining a single try scored by Louise Slope on 62 minutes to complete the 34-10 score line.

Match summary report - 8th Dec 2019:

Sutton Colts 17pts v Bridgnorth Colts 12pts

North Midlands Colts League - Division One

Last Sunday Sutton Colts continued to show good form as they overcame a strong Bridgnorth Colts 17-12 in a close fought contest but the Sutton side emerged as the deserved victors.

After a tight first half in which Sutton scored the opening try on 5 minutes courtesy of Billy Bateman, converted by Tom Bishop to take an early 7-0 lead but the home side were unable to add to their score in the tight battle that ensued and on 23 minutes the visitors closed to 7-5 with an unconverted try by Neil McAdam.

The narrow score line held at 7-5 until 10 minutes into the second half when on 45 minutes Harvey White broke the deadlock as he went in for an unconverted try extending the lead to 12-5 before on 68 minutes Matt Borley scored a try for Bridgnorth, converted by Jack Deyus to level the scores at 12-12 but in a dramatic finish Sutton held their nerve magnificently and in injury time at the end of the game Billy Bateman went in for the match winning try and a final score line of 17-12. Well done the young men of Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club and their head coach Ed Moore.