Match report - 21st Feb 2015

With just 6 games left to the end of a sobering season for the once high flying Sutton team, it is hard not to reflect on the vagaries of sport in general and the fact that only 2/3 seasons ago Sutton were riding high in the leagues achieving a winning run of 35 consecutive games, which won them outright promotion from Midlands 1 to National League 3... and their winning form continued into the National leagues taking them to the second place play off position in their first two seasons at National 3 level but the loss of many key players at the end of last season had a significant effect on their performances this season as they were forced to enter a rebuilding stage, which included promoting Sutton youth players to play alongside the established team members, with new players recruited into the Sutton ranks where possible and understandably the new look squad are taking time to reach their true potential but the signs are good for a strong finish to the season!

In this 20th game of the league season Sutton slipped to their 12th defeat, when visitors Sandbach gave them a lesson in how to take their chances as they ran in 5 tries against just 2 by Sutton to inflict a 34-20 defeat on the home side, leaving the Sutton side stranded in 10th place, 21 points above the relegation zone.

Sutton kicked off and made a bright start in the wintery sunshine, which followed a brief ominous hailstorm just before kick-off but although Sutton applied all the early pressure they were unable to take the try scoring opportunities that came their way and on 18 minutes they had to settle for a 3-0 lead through a 40 metre penalty off the boot of centre Alex White, when Sandbach were penalised for collapsing a scrum dominated by the Sutton pack in mid-field.

Unfortunately the lead was short lived as the talented Sandbach backline ran the ball back strongly into the Sutton half and an astute kick ahead turned the Sutton defence allowing right wing Jack Leach to race through and ground the ball over the try line giving the visitors a 5-3 lead, which was extended to 7-3 when fly half Ben Elliott added the conversion against the run of play, with 25 minutes on the clock.

Although producing some strong attacking runs through their backs and powerful surges by the pack, Sutton were unable to turn pressure into tries but they were able to claw back 3 more points when under pressure Sandbach were caught offside in their 22 and Alex White kicked the penalty to close to 7-6 after 33 minutes of play... but unfortunately for the home side Sandbach bounced back immediately with a penalty for 10-6 and then they kicked beyond the Sutton defence again for fullback Sam Morris to follow up and claim a second try for a 15-6 lead on the stroke of half time. 2 mistakes by Sutton- 2 tries for Sandbach!

The resurgent Sutton pack continued to dominate the scrums throughout the game securing good possession but unfortunately after a good opening 10 minutes to the second half, just as a promising attack by the Sutton backs threatened a breakthrough in the opposition 22, what should have a scoring pass was intercepted by right wing Jack Leach and the Sandbach flyer outpaced the chasing Sutton players over 80 metres to score under the posts. Ben Elliott added the conversion and Sutton faced a 22-6 deficit, which was extended to 29-6 when centre John Smith raced down the left wing following the restart to score in the corner and an excellent touchline conversion by Ben Elliott underlined Sutton's disastrous start to the second half.

However, showing great character Sutton responded well and another penetrating run by winger Nathan Burchell, set up a strong attacking position for Sutton to exploit, sending centre Alex White in for a try, which he converted himself to bring Sutton to 13-29 with 15 minutes to play and then skipper for the day Ian Miller crossed for a well taken try on the left wing and with Alex White adding the conversion the recovery was underway as Sutton closed to 20-29 with 12 minutes to play. But the threatened recovery petered out when Sandbach gained possession in the Sutton 22 and slotted another kick into the corner for right wing Billy Seddon to round the last Sutton defender and drop on the ball for a final score line of 34-20.

With the new look Sutton pack finding its feet in recent weeks and proving capable of matching the best packs in the league, it only remains for the once renowned Sutton backs to rediscover their confidence. flair and fluency to reignite the winning formula and success that the club enjoyed over recent seasons.

This weekend Sutton make the trip to 2nd place Hinckley to test their resurgent pack in a challenging contest and they will be looking for their back division to rediscover the Sutton sparkle as they move into the critical closing games of the season. KO 2.15