Match report - 11th Sept 2021

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Sutton Coldfield 1st XV 0pts v Ludlow RFC 50pts

Sutton's stumbling start to the new season continued into their second game and although Sutton made a good start to the match creating two good chances in the opening period of play, they failed to turn pressure into points and it was Ludlow who opened the scoring against the run of play, with a converted try on 10 minutes, leaving Sutton wondering what had gone wrong after a good preseason build-up ahead of the league season.

Sutton kicked off in perfect conditions with an immaculate dry firm pitch underfoot and from the kick off they followed the ball hard to regain possession, setting up a strong attacking position in the Ludlow 22 and applying all the early pressure. The pressure was briefly relieved by a clearance kick, which was gathered by Sutton, distributed and run back down the left wing by winger Will Mitchell, who unfortunately was barged into touch just short of the Ludlow try line, by a no arms shoulder charge to deny the try without penalty or compensation. The game restarted with a lineout to Ludlow on their 5 metre line and they cleared the ball back to the halfway line but as the play developed and Ludlow gained possession they attempted passing the ball from left to right into midfield only to find Sutton's long serving prop Sean Harrison lurking and alert in their path. The lively prop intercepted the hopeful pass and set off on a 40 metre opportunistic run to the try line and glory... but just as the Sutton support runners came into shot to carry the ball to the try line, the referee called play back for an earlier infringement and another chance was gone.

The opening try by Ludlow came from a Sutton lineout on the Sutton left wing, just outside their 22, which was misdirected and gathered by Ludlow, who quickly spun the ball across the Sutton 22 from right to left putting full back Will Hodnett clear to run into the left corner and centre Jack Lines landed a perfect touchline conversion for maximum points and a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Sutton would consider themselves unlucky with the score line after their early pressure but resolutely they settled to their task after the restart. However, the score clearly inspired the visitors as they ran in successive scores in rapid succession, starting with a try for hooker Jack Small on 13 minutes after the ball was spun left from a lineout to take the score to 12-0, the conversion being missed, then 3 minutes later fly half Kieran Pinches found a gap in the Sutton defensive line close to the scrum in the Sutton 22 and he raced in to score under the posts but amazingly the simple conversion was missed, so it was not all bad news for Sutton although the score was now standing at 17-0 with 17 minutes played.

Conversions apart, the next score proved that when things are going for you they really go for you as Ludlow set up an attack on their left wing and their left wing chipped ahead only for the ball to bounce kindly back into his arms beating the Sutton defenders as he passed inside to centre Jack Lines, who raced in to score the try, which he converted himself to stretch the score to 24-0 with 22 minutes played. On the same theme Ludlow's next try came courtesy of an interception on the Sutton right wing allowing full back Will Hodnett in for his second try, converted by Jack Lines to make the score 31-0 with 13 minutes to play to the break.

The final score of a torrid first half for Sutton came on the stroke of halftime, when left wing Joe Doyle kicked ahead beyond the Sutton defenders and won the race to touch down in the left corner for an unconverted try and a Sutton deficit of 36-0 at the break.

The scoreboard would suggest otherwise but Sutton had periods of good play in a distressing 40 minutes of rugby against a decent side but not a world beater. So many things went wrong for Sutton during this period with missed tackles, lineout malfunctions, missed touch, rocket passes straight into touch when developing a promising attack and the bouncing ball always seem to favour their opponents in 50/50 situations but in spite of the difficulties the team held their frustrations in check and kept their composure even after a frenetic start to the second half by their bubbling opponents, who cashed in on two more tries at the start of the second 40, when Sutton were still reflecting on the halftime team talk.

The first try in the second half came straight from the Ludlow restart as they drove Sutton back into their own 22 then applied pressure on the Sutton try line. The Sutton pack held the initial surges but Ludlow no8 James Meers rolled off the base of the scrum and drove over for the first score after 3 minutes of play then again following the restart play returned to the Sutton 22 and Sutton were penalised. Quick thinking full back Will Hodnett caught Sutton unprepared as he took a quick tap and raced the few yards to claim his hat-trick try 6 minutes into the second period and with centre Jack Lines landing both penalties Sutton turned to face 34 minutes of play with a 50-0 deficit.

Never known for shirking their work and bolstered by the return of players like Luke Stewart and young Lewis Belton Sutton faced up to their task and although they were unable to make the break through to register on the scoreboard, they completed the game without further damage and can now return to the training pitch to learn the lessons and return a stronger side next weekend when the team travel South to Worcestershire to face a Malvern club, who like Sutton are still searching for their first win of the new season. KO 3pm.

Sutton were pleased to welcome and entertain their sponsors E H Smith last weekend. We hope they enjoyed their time at the club and thank them for their valuable support.

Other match summary reports:

Friday 10th Sept 2021.

Sutton Casuals v Barker Butts.

Unfortunately this highly popular floodlit Friday evening game had to be abandoned before half time due to what could have been a serious injury to one off the Sutton players but although the ambulance did attend and dealt with the injured player we are pleased to report that the player is recovering and will make a fully recovery, which is great news for the player, his family and friends plus all at SCRFC.

Saturday 11th Sept 2021

Sutton 2nd XV 21pts v Ludlow 2nd XV 12pts.

The Sutton second string under team manager Simon Davies and coach Dan Wells, performed well against the visiting Ludlow 2nd XV resulting in a deserved 21-12 victory on the Sutton International Pitch in perfect weather and on a great playing surface, enjoyed by all.

The Sutton tries were scored by Raheel, Curtis and Nick Boddington with Jack Ward converting all three for a perfect score.

Well done the lads!