After an enthralling league contest between Sutton in 3rd place, chasing promotion and Sandbach in 11th place, looking to avoid the relegation zone, it was the home side who prevailed with an important 38-25 bonus point victory to keep their ambitions alive and maintain their long standing unbeaten home record, having lost only twice at home in the last three seasons, which includes the play off against Harrogate for promotion to National 2, after only one season in National 3.

However, it was a hard fought victory against a very capable team, who rose above their lowly league position to challenge Sutton and it was the visitors who led 9-10 at the break, closing to 24-22 with 10 minutes to play. It was only in the closing period that Sutton pulled away to record what the score suggests was a comfortable victory but the final score does not reflect the brave effort made by the visitors and the admirable response by the home side led by Fraser Tait at no8, who was skipper for the day in the absence of club captain Dave Edwards, in a highly entertaining contest.

On another sunny Saturday at the RSG, after early pressure from the visitors, which Sutton resisted with strong well organised defence, the tables were turned as the Sutton backs led by centre Jonny Raistrick and winger Andy Tovey put the visitors defence under pressure with deep penetrating runs but the penetration came to nothing, with simple errors costing Sutton possession and field position. During this period of play Sandbach kept Sutton at bay with good defence and long clearance kicks which Sutton ran back each time seeking a breakthrough and on 12 minutes centre Alex White kicked a 30 metre penalty to open the scoring but Sandbach levelled at 3-3 with an equally fine penalty by fullback Benny Elliot after a further 15 minutes.

As the game developed Alex White went on to kick a total of 4 penalties, 3 in the first half and I in the second half plus a bonus winning try and 3 conversions for a personal tally of 23 points in a man-of-the-match performance.

Following the opening score by Sutton, Sandbach launched an impressive attack down their left wing and it was only the outstanding resolute defence of Sutton's left wing Ian Miller that prevented a try, which could have changed the course of the game. The Sandbach backs skillfully exploited an overlap on the left and their centre was racing free with a clear run to the try line but Ian Miller overhauled him bringing him down with a superb tackle from behind just yards from the line and as the ball bounced backwards into the hands of the supporting Sandbach winger who was set to complete the score, Miller regained his feet and drove the winger into touch short of the try line for a magnificent moment of top class rugby.

Coming up to the 40th minute with Sutton leading 9-3, centre John Smith raced home for a shock try on the stroke of half time and with Benny Elliot slotting the conversion Sandbach took a 9-10 lead into the break but just 3 minutes into the second period the Sutton lead was restored at 12-10 when Alex White kicked his 4th penalty. A well worked try under the posts by flyhalf Josh Groom converted by Alex White on 45 minutes extended the Sutton lead to 19-10, which was reduced to 19-15 as Sandbach fought back with a well worked try by left wing Sam Morris 10 minutes later. Again Sutton responded with a fine try for fullback Josh Rolls in the left corner with Alex White acting as the key link to take Sutton into a 24-15 lead but Sandbach stayed in touch with a try and conversion by Benny Elliot to close to 24-22 with 10 minutes to play.

After the restart Sutton stepped up their game and claimed a penalty try as their powerful forwards drove for the line and with the simple conversion Sutton led 31-22. A final penalty by Benny Elliot brought the visitors within reach of a losing bonus point at 31-25 but Alex White had the last word with a try and conversion to secure the win and gain an all important bonus point for a 4th try.

The win puts Sutton 13 points behind league leaders Broadstreet but only 3 points behind second place Nuneaton, with a game in hand against both top teams. Sutton's game in hand is away to fourth place Old Halesonians and with only 3 points between Sutton and Old Hales the game, to be played in two weeks on 15th March has particular significance for Sutton because a win will take them above Nuneaton into second place but a loss with allow Old Hales to leapfrog them into third place - assuming that all teams win their respective games this Saturday, when Sutton travel to Scunthorpe who currently sit in 9th place.

Note: All league game KO's are now 3pm.

Sutton other team results:

Alongside the 1st XV it was good to have the Sutton Dev'l side and 3rd XV both playing their respective games at home last weekend in front of their home support but unfortunately both teams found their opponents too hot to handle in the early spring sunshine with the Development side losing 11-34 against a strong Luctonians side and Sutton 3rd XV stepped up to the mark but failed to contain National 2 club side, Dudley Kingswinsford Wasps and lost 5-31.

On Sunday 9th March, the Sutton Development side face Pinley RFC in the Warwickshire Second Team Cup at Old Coventrians. KO 2.15 allowing for extra time if required.