Match report - 27th Sept 2014

Last weekend the new look Sutton 1st XV produced a mixed performance against a combative opposition and although after a slow start they levelled the scores at 10 all going into the break, Sutton lost out in the critical exchanges during a testing second half and they slid to a disappointing 29-10 defeat at Old Halesonians but there were enough good signs to suggest that this Sutton side will be force to be reckoned with as the new team develops through the early season encounters, having won 2 and lost 2 after just 4 games.

Once again Sutton suffered personnel and selection problems not only in the build up to this key match but also during the game, with fly half Josh Groom having to withdraw from the game at short notice due to the worsening health of a beloved grandparent, who was not expected to live and we send our best wishes and condolences to Josh and his family. With Josh Rolls still side lined through injury, the youthful Ben Morgan stepped into the game off the bench to make his league starting debut as replacement for Josh but with talented backs like Ian Miller and Andy Tovey still not quite ready to return to the fray, Ben Toft was called on to fill the vacancy on the bench. Unfortunately, after receiving the last minute emergency call-up, the player/coach was still in London on the Saturday morning and he had to make an heroic quick dash by train and fast car to reach the Haleowen ground shortly after kick-off. Not the best preparation for a demanding contest and things deteriorated during the game when Sutton's inspirational skipper Fraser Tait took a heavy knock and was not able to take part in the crucial second half effort. His absence denied Sutton their major driving force from the back of the scrum at a critical point in the game and although his excellent replacement Marcus Harewood, in conjunction with Simon Millard, who moved into the no8 slot and all the new and replacement players played well individually, collectively after the various disruptions and changes the team is still falling short of the precision and fluency of previous seasons but the understanding between the new partnerships is growing and success on the field of play will follow.

As old rivals, who had not beaten Sutton in any of their recent encounters, a determined Old Hales kicked off on a mission and immediately invaded the Sutton 22 applying sustained pressure to pin Sutton in their own half for a full 20 minutes. But although they were unable to break free, the Sutton defence held firm holding their own at the scrums and countering the powerful driving rucks and mauls set up by the powerful Old Hales pack to deny their opponents the try they were desperate for. However, 24 minutes into the game an over eager Sutton back row player strayed offside as a scrum swung round and fullback Chris Hooper kicked the home side into a 3-0 lead. The score inspired Sutton and from the restart they took play deep into the Old Hales half, where a rejuvenated Sutton drove forward and on their first visit into the Old Hales 22, new 2nd row recruit Max Heppner scored a fine debut try as he broke off a driving maul and powered over the try line to give Sutton the lead. The try followed a well placed penalty kick by centre Alex White, which gave Sutton an attacking line out 10 metres from the opposition try line on the Sutton left wing. An accurate throw from hooker Jamie Scott was gathered in safely and the Sutton pack drove towards the Old Hales try line. With the try line in sight Max Heppner detached himself from the throng and drove over for an excellent score.

Centre Alex White added the difficult conversion to extend the Sutton lead to 7-3 with 26 minutes played but not to be denied their hosts followed up the restart and countered with another series of strong driving mauls to drive over the try line enabling flanker Nigel Burrows to ground the ball and reclaim the lead... and with Chris Hopper adding the conversion Old Hales took a 10-7 lead 10 minutes before the break but once again Sutton responded strongly following the restart and on the stroke of half time their pressure led to a 30m penalty for Alex White to level the scores at the break.

Unfortunately the hoped for Sutton recovery never materialised during a torrid second half and three well taken tries by Old Hales sealed Sutton's fate. The tries came on 10, 15 and 30 mins of the second half and were scored by hooker Peter Fitzgerald, fullback Chris Hooper and scrum half Nigel Jones respectively. Chris Hooper converted the first 2 tries, including his own, to give Old Hales the deserved winning margin of 29-10 and although Sutton battled strongly the tide was against them and they had to concede defeat but they survive to succeed another day!

This weekend Sutton play host to Burton at the RSG, Walmley Road. KO 3pm.