Match report - 21st Oct 2017

Picture: Chris Duckworth happily showing signs of recovery after the earlier scare.

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Sutton's troubled season hit another low last weekend when not only did they lose to third place Rugby Lions in their league fixture, a team they had beaten 45-24 two weeks earlier in the semi-final of the Warwickshire Cup but Sutton also suffered serious injuries to key players during the course of the match. Sutton lost two of their three props in the first half and the game had to go to uncontested scrums with Sutton reduced to 14 men for the whole of the second half...and then mid-way through the second half Sutton's impressive winger Chris Duckworth (Ducky) took a heavy blow to the head and was left unconscious as he defended a Lion's attack on the Sutton try line.

The concussion aside, medics from both sides feared the possibility of neck and spinal injuries so although the player regained consciousness he was not moved and an ambulance was called. The ETA for the ambulance was something over 40 minutes so with the teams returned to their dressing rooms at around 16.10 and the ambulance not expected until 16.50 the referee and members from both sides decided to abandon the game with the score standing at 32-11 to the home side, who also gained a bonus point for scoring 4 tries and Sutton came away with nothing except an extended injury list. Such is your fate when the sporting gods are cruel.

As to the game itself, Sutton kicked off with slight rain in the air and a gusting wind to their backs but in good playing conditions they drove deep into the Lions left hand corner, however, the promising attack ended when they lost possession close to the try line and the Lions broke clear led by their charging no 8 who broke through a tackle in midfield taking play up to the halfway line, where the ball was slipped to centre Stuart Lee, who found a gap and he raced through to score the opening try to the right of the posts after just 2 minutes of play.

The wind disrupted the conversion attempt which was missed so after a promising start Sutton found themselves 5-0 down and under increasing pressure particularly in the scrums. However, although Sutton were outweighed and nudged backwards on their own put-in to the scrums, Luke Stewart at no 8 was very effective at picking up from the base of the retreating scrum and making hard yards beyond the gain line. On one such occasion the battling flanker broke into space in the Lion's half but unfortunately the pass which would have opened up a try scoring opportunity was knocked on and another chance was lost.

Over the next period of play Sutton were very much in contention with the game ebbing and flowing between the respective 22 metre areas and Sutton were looking strong with the ball in hand but midway through the first half Rugby Lions gained a 5 metre scrum on the Sutton try line to the close to the corner flag and whilst Sutton managed to hold the initial drive the Lions broke close to the scrum and hooker Louis Addleton squeezed over for the first of his hat-trick of tries on the day.

Again the conversion against the gusting wind was missed but the score extended the Lion's lead to 10-0 after 20 minutes of play and around the same time the first of Sutton's significant injuries occurred with prop Danny Griffin forced to leave the field with a deep gash to his head and despite swathes of bandages the blood continued to flow making it impossible for him to return to the fray.

To their credit Sutton responded well to the increased deficit and under pressure the home side conceded a penalty in midfield 40 metres from the posts and assisted by the wind and the right hand upright Sutton's flyhalf Ben Morgan landed the challenging kick to bring the score back to 10-3 after 25 minutes play. Sutton continued to step up the pressure and they enjoyed a good 10 minutes of possession and territorial advantage, which led to the next score. The Sutton attack was set up by centre Mike Burns as he raced down the Sutton left cutting in field into the Lion's 22 before feeding flanker Tom Foulsham, who took the ball on and then fed fly half Ben Morgan in front of the Lion's posts. With his options blocked off the fly half turned quickly and dropped a goal from in front of the posts to bring Sutton back to 10-6 just 5 minutes before the break.

Again rejuvenated Sutton charged back into the Lion's half after the restart and applied pressure down their right wing where they won a penalty, which was taken quickly and Sutton gained an extra 10 metres when the defenders were penalised for not retreating. Sutton kicked the penalty into the right corner for an attacking lineout 5 metres from the try line presenting a great scoring opportunity with halftime approaching. However, although the Sutton lineout had been working well all game this one went astray and the chance was lost. To make matters worse Rugby Lions quickly regained possession and took play up their left wing attacking in the corner. Although the intial charge was stopped Sutton were handed a yellow card for a high tackle in their 22 and a player went into the sin bin minutes before the break. Lion's had possession from the restart and the ball was moved to left wing Adam Attenborough, who raced over for a killer try on the stroke of halftime to give the home side a 15-6 lead at the break.

Worse was to come for the beleaguered Sutton side, not only had they dominated the last 10 to 15 minutes of the first half closing to within 4 points with a great chance to take the lead minutes before the break but in the final play they lost a player to the sin bin, conceded 5 points and then found that in the final skirmish prop Zac Loffman had taken a blow to the head causing concussion and he was unable to take the field for the second half. With props Zac Loffman concussed and Danny Griffin still swathed in blooded bandages Sutton had no more front row replacements and so the game had to continue with uncontested scrums, meaning Sutton had to play with 14 men because of the law on uncontested scrums and with a player in the sin bin, Sutton had to start the second half with only 13 men.

Not surprising Rugby Lions took full advantage of Sutton's ills and within 2 minutes of the restart they stretched their lead to 22-6 when hooker Louis Addleton supporting the play raced in on the left wing for his second try and fly half Carl Strickson used the wind to his advantage this time to land the conversion.

Not dispirited Sutton battled on and showed their true spirit and attacking skills, when winger Chris Duckworth made a penetrating run up his wing before slipping the ball in field setting up a try for his opposite winger T J Allwood to race into the corner for an excellent score against the odds.

Unfortunately the wind frustrated the conversion attempt again and Sutton had to settle for a score line of 22-11 with 5 minutes of the second half played. Unfortunately things did not get any better for Sutton as on 50 minutes flanker Liam Munro raced in for a fifth try to the Lions to move to 27-11 and on 56 minutes hooker Louis Addleton completed his hat-trick of tries, when Sutton defended a skirmish on their try line to the right of the posts but the wily hooker peeled off and scrambled over for his crowning try. Unfortunately in the valiant defensive effort by Sutton, winger Chris Duckworth took a heavy blow to the head and because of the risk of serious injury the game was halted so the team medics could attend to the casualty and then pending the long delay before the arrival of the ambulance and specialist help the game was abandoned at 32-11 with a bonus point victory to Rugby Lions, who were very sympathetic and supportive towards the Sutton casualty(s), for which we thank them.

On the plus side, after being examined by the ambulance crew on the field Chris Duckworth was able to walk to the ambulance where further specialist checks were conducted before he was taken to Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry for a full check-up. Happily he was allowed home and on Sunday apart from his head 'hurting a bit' he was ok.

Sutton have to count the cost of the defeat in injuries and the increased injury list but with other teams suffering corresponding defeats there has been no movement at the bottom of the table and Sutton are only 4 points away from safety if everything else stays the same.

This weekend Sutton welcome Stoke-on-Tent to the RSG for their next league fixture. Stoke sit 7th in the league and will prove to be another tough challenge for the injury hit Sutton side but rest assured, Head Coach Joe Gavin and his young side will rise to the challenge in what should be a good game of competitive rugby. KO 3 pm.

Sutton other team results:

In a great game of floodlit rugby last Friday night 20th Oct 2017 on the excellent 'International pitch' at the RSG, Walmley Road, the Sutton 2nd XV defeated a strong Walsall 2nd XV by 37-24 in a highly entertaining game between two well matched sides.

The floodlights created an excellent atmosphere enjoyed by the players and the enthusiastic supporters and all enjoyed the jovial hospitality of the bar after an evening of great rugby.

The event tempted ex first teamers and now veteran players Paul Spiby, Dave Sproson and Steve McCormack out of seclusion after appearing for the Sutton Vets the previous week and along with the regular 2nd XV players, including the much valued Steve Marshall and ex 1st XV prop Dave Smith, who is passing on his experience to the younger players in the squad, the game ran really well for Sutton with Walsall providing a formidable challenge.

Such was the competitive edge to the game that Sutton were trailing 15-19 at halftime but a fine second half saw Sutton home with an impressive 37-24 victory. The Sutton try scorers were led by Vaughan Brown with a brace plus a try each for Danny Bancroft, Chris Hendley, Sam Scadeng and Ryan Potter and Danny Bancroft added 2 conversions and a penalty for good measure.