Match report - 10th Jan 2020

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Lichfield RFC 40pts v Sutton Coldfield 0pts

After their impressive bonus point victory over bottom club Kidderminster RFC the previous weekend, last weekend Sutton 1st XV had to face title contenders Lichfield, who lie second in the table and not surprisingly the result of the Friday evening contest went with the form book, as the high flying inform Lichfield side swept to a commanding 40-0 victory, over a Sutton side, who are struggling to find form and consistency.

Once again prior to what has been a long standing local derby match much appreciated by both clubs, Sutton continued to suffer selection problems due to injury and availability, which was compounded during the week by four enforced changes to the team originally selected after training on Tuesday evening, including an injury to second row Harry Moxon, who has had an outstanding season so far but a shoulder injury sustained during training on Thursday evening ruled him out of the team that took to the field on Friday evening and then to add to the growing list of injured players, towards the end of the first half on Friday evening newly returned no8 Jamie James had to be stretched off the field with a twisted knee requiring the attendance of an ambulance to take him to hospital.

The game kicked off under floodlights, in dry conditions providing a firm footing, in front of a large expectant Friday night crowd and although Sutton made a solid start following their kick off taking play deep into the Lichfield half, the inform Lichfield side soon turned the tables and returned play to the Sutton half, where they applied early pressure and although the Sutton defence initially held strong against the Lichfield onslaught, a missed tackle in mid-field as Lichfield ran the ball from right to left across the Sutton 22 allowed the home side in for the opening try under posts, scored by prop Kevin Birt and converted by captain and open side flanker Charlie Milner to give Lichfield the perfect start with a 7-0 lead after six minutes of play.

Sutton responded well and their pressure created a long range penalty opportunity in mid-field 8 minutes into the game but unfortunately the ball drifted wide and it was Lichfield who claimed the next score on 12 minutes when after a 35 metre run down the left wing centre Adam Spinner went in for a try in the left corner and although the conversion attempt hit the inside post and bounced clear the home side had extended their lead to 12-0.

At this point the Lichfield pack stepped up their game and started to dominate the scrums winning a penalty against the Sutton scrum on the Lichfield left. The penalty was kicked to the left corner and from the subsequent lineout the home side won possession driving play infield before second row Tom Taylor was driven over for a well worked try, which was converted by Charlie Milner extending the deficit to 19-0 after 19 minutes of play.

Struggling to find and apply any rhythm to their play Sutton also suffered some harsh and unsettling refereeing decisions from the team of three Staffordshire officials, who ran the game well but not necessarily in Sutton's favour and it was Lichfield who closed the first 40 minutes with a bonus point try when the Lichfield pack were initially held up over the line by the Sutton pack. However, from the resulting reset 5 metre attacking scrum, when the home pack were held again, scrum half Sam Benson broke from the base of the scrum to feed no8 Richard Burton, who crashed over for the bonus point try. Skipper Charlie Milner added the conversion to give the home side an impressive 26-0 lead at the break.

With the loss of Jamie James due to a painful knee injury, Sutton had to reshuffle their pack with prop Taboka Habvane coming on off the bench moving Chris Lamb from the front row into the second row with Jack Ward moving from second row into the vacant no8 slot.

After the changes and in spite of the daunting 26-0 deficit Sutton made a spirited start to the second half but 9 minutes in Lichfield again surged over the Sutton try line. However, once again the ball was held-up over the line by a strong defensive effort by Sutton to deny the try but Lichfield were awarded a 5 metre attacking scrum and this time they were able to out muscle the Sutton pack to claim a pushover try grounded by no8 Richard Burton and converted by Charlie Burton for a 33-0 lead.

To their credit Sutton continued to make a game of it but unfortunately they could not open up the Lichfield defence and it was the home side who secured the final score on 54 minutes, when fullback Matt Goodall raced in on the overlap after the Lichfield backs ran the ball from right to left with quick handling across the front of the Sutton posts to give the fullback a clear run into the left corner and Charlie Milner expertly added the final conversion with the aid of the nearside post to take the score to 40-0 and in spite of Sutton stepping up their game in the final minutes seeking a consolation score it was not to be and the Sutton club had to recognise and acknowledge that the better team won on the day/evening.

Sutton now have to concentrate their best efforts on securing victories over the teams in mid table and below if they are to stave off the threat of relegation, which they are more than capable of doing; starting this weekend with the visit of Ludlow RFC, who currently sit in 8th place with Sutton back in 13th place on equal points with Stourbridge RFC in 12th place just 5 points behind Droitwich RFC, who are 'safe' in 11th place. So Sutton have everything to play for. All support welcome KO 2.15pm