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Sat 02 Dec 2017  ·  Division 1 West
BROMSGROVE
24
20
Sutton Coldfield RFC
Sutton Coldfield RFC 1st XV
Match report - 2nd Dec 2017

Match report - 2nd Dec 2017

Ken Sims5 Dec 2017 - 09:45
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Bromsgrove RFC 24 pts v Sutton Coldfield 20 pts

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match day photos:
Top; Nathan Burchell, who once again stepped back out of retirement when called upon and was a constant threat to Bromsgrove all afternoon.
Below; 21 year old scrum half Ollie Green, who is having one of his best seasons to date and gets better with every game.

For much of this highly charged key league fixture Sutton led the team currently sitting third in the league table and looked the superior side but unfortunately they conceded two tries in the final period with Bromsgrove securing a narrow 24-20 victory in the final 5 minutes, with a powerful drive to thwart an excellent performance by the spirited Sutton side, who in the end had to settle for a losing bonus point. Sutton are making a habit of close games being decided in the final play but in the last 3 games its 2 to 1 against Sutton!

The game kicked off in gloomy conditions with Sutton receiving the ball hotly pursued by the home pack, who were intent on stamping their authority on the game from the outset but the visitors stood their ground and competed well in the opening exchanges. The strong Sutton pack held up against Bromsgrove in the early scrums and with the lineouts going well Sutton looked to be in good shape. Although under sustained pressure during the opening period of the game, the visitors defended resolutely and in turn they produced some inspiring counter attacks led by the centre pairing of Tom Harris at inside centre and Nathan Burchell at outside centre, such that 20 minutes into the game Sutton were awarded a penalty on the Bromsgrove 10 metre line and Sutton's skipper and outside half Ben Morgan stepped up to land a superb 40 metre kick to give Sutton a deserved 3-0 lead.

Unfortunately Bromsgrove bounced straight back from the restart as Sutton gathered the ball and cleared to the halfway line on the Bromsgrove left wing but Bromsgrove reclaimed the ball and after some close interplay, left wing Sam Bastock found space to race 30 metres to score under the posts giving fly half James Upton an easy conversion and Bromsgrove a 7-3 lead after 22 minutes of play.

Undaunted by the change of lead Sutton stepped up their game and 10 minutes before halftime a dazzling run by centre Nathan Burchell from his own half took play up to the Bromsgrove 22, before he slipped the ball to fullback Tom Burrows, who was running in support and the fullback powered his way to the try line for a spectacular score, which was his 4th try of the season and his 3rd try in the last 3 games. The try restored the Sutton lead at 8-7, which was extended to 10-7 with the successful conversion by Ben Morgan.

Sutton carried the 10-7 lead into the break and playing some enterprising rugby after the restart Sutton continued to build their game with good possession in the Bromsgrove 22 leading to an opening for right wing Chris Duckworth (Ducky), who squeezed into the right corner for a well worked try 10 minutes into the second half. The try was Chris Duckworth's 6th try of the season. Ben Morgan added the difficult touchline conversion to extend the Sutton lead to 17-7 and Sutton appeared to be on track for a shock victory.

However, once again Bromsgrove responded positively and 5 minutes later they drew back to 17-12 with an unconverted try by second row Lewis Arnold, who was driven over after a penalty was kicked into the right corner and a catch and drive, well executed by the Bromsgrove pack narrowed the Sutton lead with 25 minutes left to play.

Again Sutton stepped up their play and midway through the second period they won another penalty, which fly half Ben Morgan kicked from 40 metres to extend the Sutton lead to 20-12 but Bromsgrove bounced back and a fumble by Sutton at the restart led to a Bromsgrove scrum in the Sutton half. Bromsgrove won the scrum and a break into the Sutton 22 saw the ball chipped over the try line for substitute fly half Chris Hooper to win the race for the touchdown, closing the score line to 20-17, with 18 minutes to play.

In a tense climax to a compelling contest Sutton played well but with 5 minutes to play Bromsgrove won a penalty in the Sutton half and needing 5 points not 3 for the win Bromsgrove kicked again for the right corner and a 5 metre lineout. Bromsgrove won the lineout cleanly and although Sutton fought to stop the advance Bromsgrove drove over the line to secure victory with a disputed try, which to some eyes was knocked on as no8 Joss Tomlinson went to ground the ball. However, as the only arbiter in the game the referee awarded the try and Chris Hooper added the touchline conversion to take the score to 24-20, securing an all important bonus point win for the home side, who hope to be competing for promotion at the end of the season; whilst denying Sutton a deserved victory but the spirited Sutton side played out the final minutes to secure the consolation of a losing bonus point and acclaim from the relieved Bromsgrove players and officials, who all agreed 'playing like that Sutton are not a bottom of the table team'.

This weekend Sutton face another challenge when league leaders Burton RFC come to the Roger Smoldon Memorial Ground, Walmley Road to complete the first half of the season. Whilst congratulating their old friends and rivals at Burton on the success of their season so far, Sutton will looking to prove once again that they are better than their lowly league position suggests.

All support welcome for what should be another enthralling contest. KO 2.15pm.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Dec 2017

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

Division 1 West

League position

3
BROMSGROVE
14
SUTTON COLDFIELD
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities - Sponsorship at SCRFC
Main Partner & Club Sponsor - Ansons Solicitors
Key Sponsor  - EHSmith Buillders Merchants
Sponsor - Thermaset Ltd
Sponsor  - Sewell & Wood Network
Sponsor - Hat Box Ltd
1st XV Top Sponsor  - Maptalent
Player Sponsor - Henry Nevitt - Renderclad
Player Sponsor - Jack Wells  - Social Scalers
Official  Kit Supplier  - Vulcan Sports