Longton RFC 6 pts v Sutton Coldfield 17 pts

Match Report - 11th Jan 2014

Longton RFC 6 pts v Sutton Coldfield 17 pts

National League 3 Midlands

After a fiercely fought contest between two very competitive and well matched sides, Sutton returned from their daunting visit to the Potteries with a welcome 17-6 victory over a strong Longton side, who have a powerful and highly regarded pack but whilst under pressure in the scrums, Sutton coped well in the forward exchanges and had the best of the running game, taking their chances well to score three well worked tries, whilst conceding only two kickable penalties to their hosts.

Once again due to availability and injury, Sutton had to field a changed line up with crucially, a new and experimental half back pairing taking the field for this critical match. In the event the new pairing worked well with inside centre Alex White continuing at flyhalf and the returning no10 Josh Rolls moving into the scrum half role at 9, as cover for the absent Mark Rayner and Luke Ward.

Whilst the ground conditions were quite heavy the pitch played well enough considering the recent rains and the overhead conditions although cold, were fine and sunny, in fact the bright sunshine was quite a distraction to the players and spectators alike when forced to look into the sun.

Cold hands and a slippery ball contributed to an untidy game, which was both exciting and entertaining but also frustrating for both sets of players and supporters. Having withstood a powerful opening onslaught by Longton, Sutton drove play back into the opposition half winning a penalty which was judged to have drifted wide as it sailed over the right hand post but from the ensuing drop out Sutton regained the ball and attacked down their right wing before sending the ball back into mid-field for stand in flyhalf Alex White to cross for the opening try, which he converted himself to give Sutton a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Encouraged by the early score Sutton continued to develop their attacking play and great runs in turn by centre Ian Miller, flanker Marcus Harewood and power drives by flanker Brook Davies kept Sutton on the front foot, further supported by surging runs from winger Andy Tovey, who was starting his first game after sustaining a long term injury early last season. Andrew Tovey has not started a 1st XV game since Sept 2012 but he showed he has lost none of his running skills and guile as he completed his first full game, happily confirming his fitness and rehabilitation. Although making good runs and applying periods of pressure Sutton were unable to breakdown the Longton defence and in turn the home side launched strong counter attacks which tested the Sutton defence.

Whilst Sutton had their chances Longton also competed well and given the opportunity they came back strongly winning two penalties to close to 7-6 after 25 minutes. The first penalty came on 15 minutes when Sutton were penalised at the scrum and then on 25 minutes Sutton were caught off side in mid-field 30 metres out and Longton fullback Grant Hallam landed both shots at goal from similar distances to put the game on a knife edge... but on the stroke of halftime a break by no8 Fraser Tait from the halfway line was finished off perfectly by right wing Nathan Burchell, who took the scoring pass on the 22 metre line and raced in to extend Sutton's lead to 12-6. Unfortunately the difficult conversion rebounded off the upright and Sutton were denied the added points but they took a deserved 12-6 lead into the interval.

The second half continued in much the same vein with neither side dominating and handling errors, knock-ons etc. influencing a lot of the play, with possibly the home side being the most guilty of careless play when crucially, with 15 minutes left on the clock, whilst launching an attack Longton dropped the ball on the halfway line and Sutton's outside centre Ian Miller scooped up the ball cleanly and outpaced the opposition in the race to the left corner driving through the final defender to score a superb solo try, which secured the game for Sutton at 17-6.

The remaining period of play saw Longton on the offensive desperate to recover something from the game, whilst Sutton were chasing the illusive 4th try for a bonus point, which would help in their pursuit of the two teams above them in the race for the league title but although Sutton came close on at least two occasions in that final period they could not cross the line and they had to settle for an important hard fought victory but no bonus point. Missing out on the bonus point puts Nuneaton 6 points ahead of Sutton and Broadstreet 2 points ahead with Sutton now just 3 points ahead of 4th place Old Haleonian, in a very tight league table.

The only downside to the victory at Longton was the neck injury sustained by 2nd row Adam Bennett, who has made a great contribution to the team effort in the recent matches he has played but unfortunately on Saturday Adam took a knock which affected his neck and as a precaution he was taken to hospital by ambulance from the pitch side. Happily there will be no lasting damage and the hospital released him into the tender care of our own physio Hannah Walker.

This weekend Sutton welcome a much improved Lymm side to the RSG, looking for another home victory to maintain their pursuit of the league leaders and the chance to reverse their embarrassing defeat to a 'weaker' Lymm side earlier in the season. KO 2.15.