Match report - 6th Jan 2018

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 6th Jan 2018

Sutton Coldfield 10 pts v Hereford RFC 17 pts

As the following report outlines, in spite of another spirited performance, frustratingly Sutton 1st XV did not start 2018 with the win their play deserved, missing out on the victory they needed and securing only a losing bonus point.

With 12 games to play to the end of the season, if they are to stay in this challenging league Sutton now have to refocus and ensure that they take the chances they consistently create with good play in each game but have so often failed to finish on the day; as a result last weekend the 1st XV went down 17- 10 to a dogged Hereford side and have much work to do if ‘the drop’ is to be avoided.

Playing on the excellent ‘International Pitch’ at the RSG, Sutton kicked off against a blustery wind and hopes were raised when Sutton made an excellent start as after 6 minutes No 8 Luke Stewart (pictured top left) made a dramatic break before setting up in the inform Tom Burrows (pictured top right), who raced in to score in the right corner for the fullback’s 6th try of the season and his 5th in successive matches. Although Ben Morgan’s touchline conversion against the wind fell short the 5-0 lead promised much as the 1st half elements favoured the visitors.

Starved of possession and territory Sutton spent much of the rest of the half on the back foot but defended admirably until the Hereford pressure told with tries by centre Perry Pudge on 27 minutes and prop Matt Hill, on 34 minutes, with the former converting his own try to send the visitors in at the break with a 12-5 lead but with Sutton still very much in the game.

As the 2nd period developed Sutton were left chasing the game when the Hereford right wing Lewis Turner received the ball on the blindside of a scrum on the halfway line and he raced down his wing breaking a number of attempted tackles before touching down in the corner for an excellent solo effort and although the conversion failed the lead had been extended to 17-5 after just 4 minutes of the second half.

With a much greater share of possession and territory Sutton threw everything they had into the game but although they came close on many occasions all they had to show for their effort was a well taken try in the corner by leading try scorer Chris Duckworth (pictured bottom left) after good work by Tom Burrows, who was a threat all afternoon; Ducky’s try was his 7th of the season and keeps him at the head of the try scoring charts one ahead of the man that set him up. Ben Morgan was unable to convert leaving the score at 17-10 and despite the best efforts of the Sutton team that’s the way it remained when the final whistle sounded.

A disappointing outcome to a game Sutton really needed to win in the fight for survival. Congratulations to 18 years old Lamaar Lawrence who made his debut on the flank and did well in his first game of senior rugby before injury forced him to leave the field and good to see Conor Thorneycroft (pictured bottom right) back in action after an enforced absence due to injury. Also worthy of note were the positive contributions and penetrating runs made by no8 Luke Stewart from the base of the scrum to constantly take the Sutton game forward, ably assisted by man-of-the-match Jamie Willett's, who from second role made a a major contribution to the Sutton effort.

This weekend Sutton 1st XV travel to Lutterworth RFC looking for that elusive win, which will kick start their fight back.

Team: Zach Loffman, Dean Ginn, Dave Smith, Tom Foulsham, Jamie Willetts, Lamaar Lawrence, Rhoss Price, Luke Stewart, Ollie Green, Ben Morgan(Capt), Chris Duckworth, Tom Harris, Jack Duthie, Mike Burns, Tom Burrows. Subs(used): Conor Thorneycroft, Joe Gregory.