Match report - 9th Oct 2021

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 9th Oct 2021

Sutton Coldfield 25pts v Stoke-on-Trent 53pts

Midlands 1 West

Last weekend the Sutton 1st XV, who have struggled to field a consistent team through the opening games of the new season, took on the daunting task of welcoming a strong unbeaten Stoke side to the RSG, Walmley Road. Coming into the weekend the visitors had made an impressive start to the season winning all 5 of their opening games to place them second in the league behind Kenilworth, who up to last weekend were also unbeaten, but defeat to Lichfield allowed Stoke to move to the top of the table as the only undefeated team in the league and alongside Kenilworth and Lichfield they have now established themselves as serious title contenders at this early stage in the competition.

By contrast Sutton now sit 11th in a league table of 14 teams, with 1 victory and 4 bonus points to their credit but undaunted Sutton bravely made a strong and promising start to the game taking the contest into the Stoke 22 with strong combative play, however a promising move broke down when the ball was lost forward in the tackle and from that point the visitors grasped the initiative and the game followed the form book as Stoke raced to a 22-8 halftime lead, then as the second half progressed to the final result Stoke moved to the top of the table with a convincing 53-25 victory but against the odds Sutton held their heads high as they scored 4 tries to salvage a bonus point to add to their league account.

Stoke had kicked off in perfect conditions for a running game and Sutton received the ball cleanly in front of an expectant crowd, driving the ball forward with strong movements and good interplay taking play up to the Stoke 22 and setting up a promising position in midfield but unfortunately as Sutton tried to apply the final charge the ball went forward in the tackle and Stoke were able to clear the danger and the chance was lost.

From that point on Stoke took control of the game for long periods and Sutton had to defend and live off scraps.

From the early concentration of play in the visitors half the focus swung to the Sutton half and with 6 minutes on the clock Stoke kicked a penalty to the 5 metre line on the Stoke left and the pack won the lineout driving hooker and captain Sam Yorke over for the opening try, which was converted by fly half Ciaran Shone to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead, then on 11 minutes Sutton were penalised in their 22 and fly half Shone took the points to extend the lead to 10-0 before on 18 minutes again a penalty against Sutton in midfield was kicked into the corner and the visiting pack again showed their lineout skills and strength as they drove the ball from the lineout over the Sutton try line, presenting skipper Sam Yorke with his second try of the day and with Shone again adding the conversion the lead was stretched to 17-0 with 22 minutes to go to the break.

The game ebbed and flowed for a spell but then 10 minutes before the break came light relief for Sutton when Stoke were penalised in their 22 and Sutton fly half Ben Morgan landed the kick to break the Sutton duck moving the score onto 3-17 but then in a flurry of activity leading to the break, first fly half Ciaran Shone scored a try then hit the post with his conversion moving the score onto 22-3. Then on the stroke of halftime Sutton's speedy winger George Creed raced past two defenders before squeezing into the left corner for an unconverted try and a halftime score of 8-22 to Stoke.

Although trailing, Sutton made a good start to the second half and within 5 minutes of the restart Sutton no8 Reece Milner finished off an excellent flowing attack by Sutton down the left wing before coming in field for the powerful no8 to score close to the posts giving Sutton's fly half Ben Morgan a relatively easy conversion and closing Sutton to within 7 points at 15-22...but just when it seemed that Sutton were back in game disaster struck at the restart when Stoke chased down the restart kick, re-gathered in the 22 and substitute Carl Williams took advantage of a missed tackle to race down the left wing to score a punishing try, which Ciaran Shone converted to restore the lead to 29-15; a killer blow for a resurgent Sutton.

More Sutton misery followed 3 minutes later when Sutton dropped a ball in their own 22 and Stoke no8 Charlie Poole pounced to punish another self inflicted wound, which was compounded when Ciaran Shone added the conversion to take the lead to 36-15 but once again courageous Sutton responded well setting up a kick and chase in which the ball was sent high in the air from the Sutton left wing towards the Stoke posts where the bouncing ball eluded all except the pursuing Ben Morgan, who judged the bounce well to claim the try but then misjudged the conversion closing the score to 20-36 with 27 minutes to play.

Unfortunately Sutton's attempts to chase down the deficit were thwarted again 3 minutes later when Carl Williams went in for his second try with a charge under the posts, converted by Ciaran Shone for a score line of 43-20 and then with 10 minutes to play centre Will Sant made a break down the Stoke left wing to score wide out and although the conversion went wide the score moved to 48-20 and Stoke were not finished there, with 5 minutes left to play Stoke set up a strong attack down their left wing before swinging right to exploit an overlap on the right wing as fullback Steve Talbot raced in for their final unconverted try taking the score above the magic 50 at 53-20...but brave Sutton were still determined to salvage something from the game and in the closing minutes Sutton advanced on the Stoke try line and centre/wing Chris Duckworth squeezed in for a consolation try and the all important bonus point, with a final score line 25-53.

This weekend Sutton 1st XV take a welcome break from the pressures of league rugby before they return to league duties with three successive away fixtures, starting with Stratford on 23/10/21, then Worcester 30/10/21 then the rearranged fixture against Whitchurch on the 6/11/21, which is now an away game.

Other team results:

Sutton 2nd XV 34pts v Lichfield 2nd XV 15pts

Rearranged friendly.

On Saturday 9th Oct 2021 Sutton 2nd XV under manager Simon Davies and led by Steve Marshall had a surprise with a last minute change of opponents. Sutton were due to meet Nuneaton 2nd XV at the RSG, Walmley Road, in the Warwickshire Cup then at short notice Nuneaton pulled out conceding the round to Sutton giving Sutton the win but disappointingly no game for the expectant players! However, Sutton's valiant long serving fixture secretary Richard Harries came to the rescue and at short notice he managed to organise a game against Lichfield 2nd XV to the delight of the players and supporters alike and it turned out to be a great game enjoyed by all - so well done Richard.

Sutton won a close contest 34-15 between two well matched sides with a huge performance from the Sutton forwards, who were well supported by an impressive back line in a fine team effort against strong opponents.

The Sutton try count was led by Josh Bailey who bagged a brace, followed by Steve Marshall, Nathan Burchell and Luke Fleming plus a penalty try with one conversion credited to Josh Groom.

Team manager Simon Davies was pleased to see the return of Sam Scadeng, Alex Morgan and Luke Fleming, all back playing again.

As a footnote it was good to see so many players returning to the game and enjoying their rugby.