In the grey conditions and constant drizzle of last Saturday afternoon, Sutton 1st XV lifted their own recent gloom, following their unexpected loss away to Lymm, when they ground out a much needed home win against a dogged Newport side, who kept the pressure on their hosts right to the end of a compelling contest that ended 19-13 in Sutton's favour. The winning margin of 6 points gave Sutton just 4 league points for the win and Newport gained a losing bonus point for being within 7 points. Although very important, the welcome victory still keeps Sutton in 5th place some 6 points behind league leaders Old Halesonians and 5 points behind 2nd place Bournville, who Sutton have already beaten earlier in the season and on the 26th Oct Sutton face the league leaders Old Hales at the RSG, Walmley Rd looking to recover lost ground in a tightly contested league.

Last weekend Sutton's growing injury list continued to influence team selection and it was only due to the quality and strength of the Sutton squad that they were able to produce a winning team performance against strong opposition. Having previously debuted in the 2nd row, highly regarded new recruit Matthew Black made a first start at no 8 replacing the injured Fraser Tait, with Jamie Scott taking over at hooker from the inspirational Michael Worthington out with concussion and summer signing Luke Stewart joined the fray from the bench bringing fresh legs into the pack to maintain Sutton's impact in the second half.

In dreary conditions Newport kicked off and immediately put Sutton under pressure in their own third of the field. During the opening 10 minutes, whilst Sutton defended well they were guilty of being overeager to get to their opponents and after a series of penalties conceded by the home side, the referee ran out of patience and Sutton received a yellow card for repetitive offences. The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner and Newport reclaimed the 5 metre lineout throw to drive over for an opening try by 2nd row Jonathan Stiles. Flyhalf James Curvengen added the extra points with an excellent touchline conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Reduced to 14 men Sutton regrouped and held their own against their imposing opponents and then once restored to a full compliment Sutton went on the attack with great attacking play which developed in mid field before the ball was spun left via Dave Merlin into the hands of his long striding 2nd row partner Steve McCormack. The 2nd row advanced into the visitors 22, then delivered the perfect pass to put left wing Rob Watts in at the corner. Centre Alex White kicked a superb touch line conversion to level the scores at 7-7 with 26 minutes of an enthralling match played.

With half time approaching Sutton stepped up their play, led by the charging runs of flanker Brook Davies and they came close to scoring but on two occasions the ball was adjudged to have been held up over the line and an attacking scrum awarded to the hosts. The first disappointment was for centre Alex White who was closely covered as he tried to ground the ball under the posts after a forceful charge for the try line and then fellow centre Tom Lucas was held up as he weaved his way cleverly over the line. However, after sustained pressure Sutton finally gained their reward when their outstanding open side flanker Marcus Harewood broke wide following a scum and he squeezed into the right hand corner for a deserved try. The difficult conversion drifted wide but Sutton had extended their lead to 12-7 with 5 minutes to play to the break. However on the stoke of half time James Curvengen kicked a 30 metre penalty to narrow the score to 12-10 at the interval but Newport also suffered a yellow card before the break and started the second half with 14 men.

With the game finely balanced and everything to play for Sutton made a good start to the second half.. and after 10 minutes their positive play earned a try for Liam Hills, who was twice involved in the move as the Sutton pack muscled their way towards the try line before the livewire prop grounded the ball under the posts allowing Alex White to add the simple conversion extending Sutton's lead to 19-10.. but the visitors were not finished and they came back strongly to test the Sutton defence which held firm. However, another penalty in mid field allowed James Curvengen to claw back three points closing the score to a tantalising 6 points with 20 minutes to play.

Sutton stepped up their play again and the final period of the game was played out in the Newport third of the field with Sutton applying relentless pressure which nearly gained a fourth try and a valuable bonus point but as Liam Hills went in again through the heavily populated area under the posts for his second try, the ball was judged to have been knocked from his hands and Sutton were denied the all important score.

Newport cleared their lines and the game played out for a deserved victory to Sutton against worthy opponents. This weekend Sutton are tasked with continuing their challenge for league honours when they travel to Nuneaton, who sit just one place below Sutton in a very tightly contest league table. All travelling support welcome. KO 2 pm.

Sutton's other team results:

Unfortunately Sutton's development side, playing first team opposition lost away to Birmingham Medics 1st XV in a difficult fixture for the essentially young development squad many of whom are experiencing senior rugby for the first time. Sadly the same can not be said of Sutton's 4th XV who played well in a 14-17 defeat against a Rugeley 2nd XV. Rugeley took a 17-7 lead but Sutton fought back in the closing period and excellent teamwork created an opening for Foulsham who scored, then converted his own try to close to within 3 points. However with time running out Rugeley held on and in spite of their best efforts Sutton fell just short. Special thanks and appreciation go to Sutton's sporting chairman Jim Haywood, who had been planning a quiet afternoon watching the 1st XV and entertaining the visiting officials from Newport etc. but with no ref for the 4th team he took his always ready kit and whistle from the car to save the day and manfully contributed to an entertaining afternoon in the rain.