Sutton Coldfield Show True Character

SCRFC showed true character and strong discipline in the closing period of a keen contest to overcome a powerful South Leicester side, who sat just 1 place below Sutton going into the game.. but a winning margin of 26-14 saw a change of fortunes, after a fiercely fought but scrappy contest, which was a test of nerve and resilience and proved to be very entertaining for the spectators but not suitable for the faint hearted.

The win continues Sutton's recovery following the unexpected early season defeats and takes Sutton up to joint second, level on points with Old Halesonians, who dropped a place after defeat against Broadstreet last weekend. Sutton now sit just 1 point behind the new league leaders Nuneaton, in a very close top of the table contest, whilst South Leicester drop to 7th place.

Sutton kicked off in dull dry conditions but it was the home side who took the initiative as they dominated the early exchanges and pinned Sutton back in their own half for the opening quarter of the game, causing the Sutton set play at the scrums and lineouts to malfunction under the sustained pressure and it was only Sutton's strong and well organised defence that stopped South Leicester taking an early lead.

Once again availability influenced team selection and this time Sutton were forced to make changes at halfback for this key fixture. The pressurised opening period proved to be a baptism of fire for the new half back pairing of Josh Rolls at 9 and Josh Groom at 10, who moved from their normal positions at 10 and 12 respectively to fill in at 9 and 10 due to the absence of both first choice scrum halves, Mark Rayner and Luke Ward...but having survived the early onslaught Sutton gradually started to assert themselves and they turned the tables with some positive play breaking out of their own half with a well directed kick and in their first serious sortie into South Leicester territory Sutton's skipper Dave Edwards crossed for an opening try after inspired attacking play by the Sutton pack and a break by winger Nathan Burchell took play up the Sutton right wing deep into the hosts 22. With the defence quickly closing in the wily winger delivered the perfect inside pass to put his skipper in for an excellent score. Centre Alex White added the conversion to give Sutton a 7-0 lead after 25 minutes of play and then just three minutes later Dave Edwards raced into the left corner to extend Sutton's lead to 12-0 after a penetrating run following the restart by Sutton's outstanding home grown no7 Luke Stewart set up a great attacking position in the South Leicester 22. A quick follow up enabled Sutton to recycle the ball and a long pass set up Dave Edwards for a well taken second try in the corner, 12 minutes before the break.

At this point Sutton were clearly in the ascendency and although there was no further score up to the interval the visitors made an excellent start to the second half. With only 3 minutes played Sutton broke down the left touchline and with left wing Rob Watts in close support, no8 Fraser Tait raced down the wing for an impressive try after an outrageous dummy to the supporting winger wrong footed the defenders on the try line and with Alex White adding a well directed conversion Sutton took a comprehensive 19-0 lead. But to their credit the dangerous South Leicester side stepped up their game and playing to their strengths, midway through the second half they forced a penalty which they kicked into the right corner. From the resulting lineout the powerful South Leicester pack re-gathered the ball and drove 2nd row Will Ward over the try line for a well worked try, which was converted by flyhalf Mark Lord to close the score to 7-19 and then 10 minutes later they increased the pressure on Sutton by repeating the successful formula, winning a penalty try as they drove for the line, which was converted by Mark Lord to close the score to 14-19, setting up a tense conclusion to the match with just one score separating the teams after the South Leicester late revival.

With South Leicester and the home supporters sensing that they had the momentum and could snatch victory from defeat.. and Sutton knowing that conceding a penalty in the final 10 minutes of play could lead to another scoring opportunity for their powerful opponents, the game tingled with anticipation and Sutton showed great courage and discipline as they held off their fired up opponents and then with time running out Sutton pounced on a loose ball on the halfway line and raced into the South Leicester 22 to set up a final ruck in front of the posts. From the ruck the ball was spun to the right and open side flanker Luke Stewart capped an excellent game for the Sutton side as he cut back and dived in under the posts for a superb bonus point try.

Alex White added the conversion to complete the game at 26-14 and Sutton continued their build up to the Christmas break with another bonus point win moving them to joint second in the league with two games to play before the start of the return legs.

This weekend Sutton travel to Syston for their 12th league game of the season before they welcome Bedford Athletic to the RSG, Walmley Road for a welcome home game on 7th Dec, their first home game since 9th Nov, which will mark the halfway point in the league programme. All KO's now timed for 2.15 pm.

Sutton's other team results:

Sutton's young development side continued this seasons challenge of taking on strong opposition in the form of 2nd XV fixtures against established teams from the North Mids Reserve Team league and although the mainly young and inexperienced side are progressing well and giving a good account of themselves they are finding the opposition just too tough to crack at this stage in their development. Last Saturday they faced a strong Old Halesonians 2nd XV and whilst they produced a good overall performance unfortunately they lost a keen contest 24-34.

Sutton's 3rd XV took on Old Salts 2nd XV and were unlucky to lose a close contest by the narrow margin of 2 points at 24-26.