After three washout weekends prevented play in both home and away games, it was good for the Sutton players to return to competitive rugby last weekend and with the home pitch in good condition thanks to the efforts of the ground staff led by Tom Jones and the Morgan brothers aided by chairman Jim Haywood and secretary Simon Yeo, Sutton sparkled in the early spring sunshine to record an impressive 34-22 victory over second place visitors Nuneaton in a vital game for the ambitions of both teams. The bonus point win moves Sutton up to 3rd in the league, still trailing the leaders but with a game in hand over Broadstreet at 1 and Nuneaton at 2. So at this critical stage in the season, the Sutton side are still very much in contention and with 7 league games remaining all scenarios are possible.

The sunshine last Saturday put the sparkle back into the Sutton game and with the pitch providing a reasonably firm footing, the Sutton side celebrated a return to competitive rugby and better playing conditions by demonstrating their exciting running skills with renowned players like Jonny Raistrict and Andy Tovey returning after long absences in conditions which allowed them to join the established players and demonstrate their outstanding skills, which contributed to a superb performance by the Sutton team and bodes well for the remaining games in a challenging season, which includes the remaining seven NL3M league games plus the Warwickshire Cup semi-final against Spartans at Broadstreet RFC on Weds 26th Feb KO 7.30 and then hopefully the Final.

In a very entertaining league contest played under bright skies, both teams scored 4 tries each with Sutton having the best of a scintillating first half scoring 4 converted tries before the break to lead 28-5 going into the second half... but Nuneaton responded well after the interval scoring three more tries, so the game was decided by the goal kickers and it was Sutton's Alex White who won the kicking contest, landing all 4 conversions and 2 penalties for a personal tally of 14 points, whilst the visitors could only land one conversion.

With Sutton sitting in 4th place and Nuneaton in 2nd place at the start of the game in a close contest at the top of the league table, this was a must win game for both teams but it was the home side who prevailed showing great maturity and game management as they took a convincing first half lead and then withstood the Nuneaton surge in the second half, which saw the visitors score 3 tries and a conversion but Sutton defended well and added 2 penalties to secure the important victory.

After early pressure from the visitors, which Sutton resisted strongly there followed a neutral period of play as both teams settled to the task in hand and the packs measured up to each other with neither side dominating the early exchanges but as the game developed the Sutton pack edged ahead in the forward encounters especially at the lineout where Sutton prevailed securing their own ball under the reliable throw of hooker Mike Worthington, making a welcome return from injury and Sutton stole a number of the Nuneaton throws as the visitors lineout struggled for consistency under the increasing Sutton pressure.

Sutton made the breakthrough to break the deadlock and impose themselves on the scoreboard when 15 minutes into the game left wing Nathan Burchell crossed for the opening try after a decisive run by centre Jon Raistrick, who carried the ball at pace into the Nuns 22 before offloading to the winger who weaved over for an excellent try. Alex White added the conversion and Sutton continued to drive the play putting pressure on the Nuns defence in all parts of the play. Then midway through the first half a probing kick ahead by Sutton's flyhalf Josh Groom rebounded over the heads of the Nuneaton defenders and Sutton's livewire prop Liam Hills advancing up the right wing grabbed the ball and fed the ball infield to set up a fast flowing attack from the halfway line. Again centre Jon Raistrick made good ground and flanker Luke Stewart was on hand to score by the posts. With both tries set up by deep penetrating runs from returning centre Jon Raistrick and converted by Alex White, Sutton then extended their lead to 21-0 after a fine solo effort by young flanker Luke Stewart, who from the restart following his try, raced 50 metres from midfield into the right corner showing great composure and confidence to outdistance the desperate defenders in the race to the line. Alex White added a superb touchline conversion before prop Jonathan Pateman scrambled a try for the visitors to close to 21-5 but Sutton closed out the half with a fine solo run by winger Andy Tovey, who raced 50 metres down the left touchline before cutting infield to sweep past the converging defenders to score a spectacular try under the posts. Alex White added the simple conversion to extend Sutton's first half lead to 28-5 and at least three of the four tries scored to secure the all important bonus point, served to remind the Sutton supporters and team what they had been missing during the enforced absence due to injury of both Andy Tovey and Jonathan Raistrick, who ironically was making his first full return to first team action after he broke his ankle in the reverse fixture at Nuneaton last season in January 2013.

Nuneaton responded well in the second half and a try by centre Elliot Brown converted by flyhalf Joe Wilson after a penalty by Alex White brought the score to 31-12 with 15 minutes of the second half played. Alex White then kicked a second penalty midway through the half for 34-12 before winger Gavin Laycock and then Richard Johnson showed the attacking qualities that Nuns carry by exploiting openings to close Sutton's lead and bring Nuns back into the game with consecutive tries but the 2 penalties by Alex White plus great defence and discipline by Sutton in the closing period kept a rampant Nuns at bay and Sutton secured a superb victory.