Match report - 20th Jan 2018

Pictured; Prematch team photo in the snow
Team: Sean Harrison, Dean Ginn, Dave Smith, Jamie Willetts, Lamaar Lawrence, Kieron Henderson, Rhoss Price, Luke Stewart, Ollie Green, Ben Morgan(Capt), Paul Spiby, Tom Harris, Tom McNamee, Mike Burns, Tom Burrows. Subs(used): Scott Toy, Conor Thorneycroft, Jack Duthie.

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 20th Jan 2018
Sutton Coldfield 16 pts v Melbourne RFC 30 pts

In testing conditions after early morning snow, the Sutton 1st XV went down 30-16 to Melbourne last weekend in a game that began so promisingly but ended so disappointingly as the visitors eased their relegation worries when a dominant 2nd half performance brought them a deserved victory and one that leaves Sutton with a mountain to climb if they are to avoid the drop.

Great credit must go to the ground staff and volunteers for getting this game on in the first place as wintery showers before kick off obliterated all the lines. The early exchanges were dominated by Sutton and it was no more than they deserved when the impressive Mike Burns, wriggled his way over under the posts, from close range for his 2nd try of the season allowing Ben Morgan to tap over the routine conversion for a 7-0 lead, after 13 minutes of play. Sutton’s cause wasn’t helped when immediately afterwards captain and pack mainstay Sean Harrison was forced to leave the field with a recurrence of the knee injury that has blighted his season, although credit must go to his replacement Scott Toy, who strove manfully and successfully to minimise the loss.

The lead was soon eaten into when Sam Hancock kicked a penalty goal after the Derbyshire visitors first foray into the Sutton 22, reducing the arrears to 7-3 after 25 minutes. This seemed to encourage them and they began to press and gain superiority at the breakdown despite the heroic efforts of the Sutton back row players, Kieran Henderson, Luke Stewart and Rhoss Price, who all worked tirelessly throughout the whole game. Melbourne's impressive counter-rucking began to have a growing influence on proceedings and 2 minutes before the break hooker Harry Stevenson crossed for an unconverted try and an 8-7 lead for the visitors. However, a well struck penalty goal from 30 metres by Ben Morgan on half time saw Sutton go into the break with a slender 10-8 advantage with it all to play for in the 2nd period.

Sadly, from Sutton's point of view, it was the visitors who benefitted from the break as, just like last week at Lutterworth, Melbourne regrouped and changed tactics in the second half, with their pack in the ascendency. Playing good rugby the visitors dominated the scoreboard, scoring 4 tries though James Benstead, Tom Howard, Jack Pearce and Oliver Page to wrap up a bonus point win and their first win away from home this season. The margin could have been greater as the visiting fly half Joe Livesey, who was called up at short notice, was only successful with one of the 4 conversions. In spite of a spirited effort Sutton’s game would not flow and basic errors at crucial times cost them possession and chances. In the end all Sutton had to show for their efforts in the second half were two more penalty goals from the boot of fly half Ben Morgan, who is kicking well at the moment despite struggling with the flu all week.

Once again, no-one can deny the bravery, commitment and promise of the young Sutton side out on the field but Sutton came up against an equally committed set of lads, who stuck together and wore the Sutton side down, taking their chances well. However, well done to the young Sutton Colts in the pack, Lamaar Lawrence and Kieran Henderson, who are having to learn on the job but will undoubtedly in years to come be better for the experience.

With 10 games to play to the end of the season there is still plenty to play for and anything can happen if Sutton can just find some consistency in their play.

This Saturday Sutton make the short trip to Billesley Common, Moseley to face a Moseley Oak side, who they drew 30 all against in the home fixture back in October at The RSG in an exciting clash that went down to the wire.

Too see an accurate league table click on link below:
http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/midlands-division/2017-2018/group/22845#/results