Camp Hill Conquer Gritty Sutton

Considering the worst defeat of the season occurred at the hands and feet of Camp Hill in the away fixture earlier in the season a far narrower defeat would imply progress has been made for Sutton’s third team.
For 35 minutes of the first half Sutton went toe to toe with their opponents who are pushing hard to carry off the title and promotion to Division 2. An early penalty for the away team was cancelled out by the boot of Alex Roberts, who had a fine game for Sutton and that’s the way it stayed until the approaching half time whistle. Unfortunately halves last at least 40 minutes and following a harsh yellow card salt was really rubbed into Sutton wounds as Camp Hill scored a dubiously awarded try with the last play of the half. A fine gritty performance had been tarnished right at the end of the half. 8-3 to Camp Hill.
Sutton’s doziness spilled over into the first 10 minutes as Camp Hill scored 2 quick tries from a rolling maul and a lineout. Tries that were totally preventable but with the rising penalty count predictable. Together with a penalty for yet another offence!! Camp Hill had sprung into a 25-3 lead and a thumping for Sutton seemed on the cards.
But finally the ball ran for the home team and good work in midfield by Alex Shaw and Roberts led to 2 quick tries under the sticks for the returning Mark McEvoy!!! A 22 point lead had been cut to 8 with the wind in the sails of the home team. However the penalty count was still hurting the men in green and that added pressure, together with enforced changes contributed to a further soft try for one of the Camp Hill replacements who must’ve thought it was Christmas as he was waved to the try line!
With the score at 32-17 to Camp Hill, their victory was assured but hooker Dean Ginn assured the last say was for Sutton as he plunged over in the corner for a try that showed fighting spirit at least. Roberts unluckily wide with the conversion as the whistle went for no-side. Sutton 22 Camp Hill 35.
As stated at the head of this report the advances from the first meeting between the teams were pronounced although having 15 on the pitch for most of the game did help!! Camp Hill had to dig hard to win and the greater experience of their squad was significant together with the totally lopsided penalty count. Sutton switched off 2 or 3 times during the course of the game and that was enough for an L in the results column.