Once again Sutton 1st XV set off on their travels last weekend full of determination and purpose but after battling through the congested traffic on the North bound M6, on route to face a strong and well balanced Sandbach side sitting one place above Sutton in mid-table, the travellers found they had left their match winning form back in Sutton as they conceded their 4th away defeat of a mixed season losing 39-14 in another frustrating contest in which simple errors cost them dear against a side capable of punishing such errors.

On the balance of play Sandbach deserved their victory but 4 of the 5 tries they scored were long range, 50 metre efforts started within their own half following Sutton pressure and basic errors.

The first try, for centre Billy Sedden came after just 5 minutes following a scrum on the halfway line and good running and passing by the Sandbach backs put the centre into space and on a clear run to the line. The try was converted by fullback Ben Elliott for an early 7-0 lead but Sutton responded well with a try for 2nd row Adam Bennett who supported a penetrating run by fullback Tom McNamee, which took play into the Sandbach 22 and with Alex White adding the conversion the teams were level at 7-7 after 14 minutes of play.

But that's as good as it got for Sutton for the next 66 minutes with Sandbach taking control of the scoreboard, first winger Jack Leech added a try in the right corner to retake the lead at 12-7 after 16 minutes of play before fullback Ben Elliott kicked consecutive 35 metre penalties to give the home side an 18-7 lead at the break.

Sutton stepped up their game at the start of the second half but in spite of sustained pressure on the Sandbach try line the Sutton efforts went unrewarded, with skipper and no8 Fraser Tait being held up over the line was just one of a number of near misses... then with Sutton focused on scoring, careless play in the opposition 22 handed the ball to the Sandbach fullback Ben Elliott and the nimble back broke clear to race to the Sutton try line to deflate the threatened recovery from the visitors. The talented back converted his own try to stretch the lead to 25-7 with 28 minutes to play and although Sutton stayed focused it was the home side who delighted their spectators in the closing period with 2 more tries by winger jack Leech and centre John Smith respectively, both converted by Ben Elliott before Sutton's hooker Alan Keylock marked his return to the club with a final consolation try, which was converted by flyhalf Josh Rolls to complete the scoring at 39-14 and send Sutton back down the M6 wondering what they have to do to win away from home.

Not-with-standing the disappointment of losing another game away from their home base with 4 home wins and 4 away losses in the opening 8 games of the new season, placing Sutton 8th out of 14 teams, last weekend's game offered some encouragement with the return of talented wingers Ian Miller and Rob Watts respectively for their first appearance of the season plus the return of the experienced and effervescent Alan Keylock, who has returned to Sutton after a spell with Malvern to add his sparkle to the Sutton pack. Also with this seasons new players starting to settle into the reshaped team, Sutton are creating openings and scoring opportunities through a series of great attacking phases... so if they can just cut out the unforced errors at the crucial points in the play, the signs are encouraging and the scores will come!

In this game Sutton competed well in the scrums and lineouts but they failed to find the gaps when on the attack and it was noteworthy that the opposition scored most of their points from a breakout following sustained Sutton pressure in the Sandbach half, so if Sutton can just maintain possession and protect the ball when pressing forward their results in all games will improve.

On the down side, at the end of the game Sutton's steadfast centre Alex White was taken straight to hospital with a painfully dislocated finger and Alan Keylock was nursing an injured foot. We all wish both a speedy recovery and a quick return to the team.

This weekend Sutton welcome Hinckley RFC to the RSG, Walmley Road looking to continue their campaign on a winning note. KO 2.15 pm