Match reports - 30th Mar 2019

Picture - Sutton Coldfield's League Champions Womens team

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Bromsgrove RFC 54pts v Sutton Coldfield 12pts

Last weekend Sutton found their high flying opponents Bromsgrove in celebratory mood having just secured the league title with three games still to play but as if facing the league champions elect at home for their first game after winning the league was not enough of a challenge and as if they needed any help, Sutton added to the challenge they faced by gifting their illustrious opponents easy scores, notably early in the game a dropped ball deep in the Bromsgrove half, which their opponents hacked on to score under the posts, a long throw by Sutton on the halfway line which was gathered by the opposition no8, who raced 40 metres to score under the posts and then in the closing minutes an interception try on the 22 led to another score under the posts for Bromsgrove in the 54-12 defeat.

Nevertheless, in spite of their litany of costly errors a spirited Sutton performance contributed to a highly entertaining game of rugby in which their worthy opponents were determined to show off their running credentials to the large gathering of enthusiastic fans on their home pitch and with Sutton's help they ran in 8 tries, whilst restricting the visitors to just 2.

Sutton kicked off in bright sunshine against a large Bromsgrove side in which the wingers were 6ft 8in and 6ft 6in respectively so it was not hard to imagine the size of the second row players and other pack members but undaunted Sutton set about their task applying early pressure in the Bromsgrove half. The first scrum went well for Sutton but as the game developed Sutton came under increasing pressure at the subsequent scrums with Sutton's powerful no8 George Ord doing well to pick up the ball from a retreating scrum and make progress over the gain line to put Sutton on the front foot time after time.

Sutton spent the opening minutes in the Bromsgrove half but a misplaced chip ahead was fielded by Bromsgrove on their left wing and a breakout took play into the Sutton half leading to a fumble by Sutton on their 22 followed by a penalty against the Sutton pack at the subsequent scrum. Bromsgrove kicked the ball into the left corner then as a catch and drive was stopped short of the Sutton try line the ball was swung across the face of the posts and right wing Bryn Williams raced into the corner for the opening try 5 minutes into the game.

Scrumhalf Will Harris landed an excellent touchline conversion to give Bromsgrove a 7-0 lead and from that point on the home side started to pile on the pressure encouraged by their vocal and enthusiastic fans but Sutton stood their ground until as Sutton attempted a breakout with an attacking run that took play deep into the Bromsgrove half a loose pass went to ground and centre Ed Spalding pounced to kick the ball through deep into the Sutton half and the flying centre won the race to score under the posts giving Will Harris an easy conversion to extend the lead to 14-0 after 18 minutes of play.

Again Sutton rallied following the set back but just 4 minutes later Bromsgrove won a scrum 10 metres out on their right and they spun the ball to the left to send left wing Josh Holt racing in for a score to the left of the posts for Will Harris to add the conversion to take the score to 21-0 then 30 minutes into the game Bromsgrove won a 5 metre scrum on the right side of the field and although the Sutton pack heldup the drive for the line the Bromsgrove backs again spun the ball from right to left across the Sutton 22 in a repeat performance and centre Ed Spalding found space to race in to the left of the posts for his second try of the day and with scrumhalf Harris again adding the conversion the lead stretched to 28-0 plus a try scoring bonus point for the confident home side.

With halftime approaching Sutton responded well to the increasing deficit and they set up a strong attack with veteran centre Paul Spiby making a strong run down field to take play into the Bromsgrove 22, where a ruck was formed at the breakdown and as Sutton quickly drove forward scrum half Ollie Green gathered the ball at the base of the ruck and seeing a gap the sprightly scrum half made a sharp 15 metre dash to the try line to score Sutton's opening try.

Unfortunately the conversion was missed but at the break Sutton had reduced the deficit to 28-5. However, just 2 minutes into the second half Bromsgrove struck again as Sutton received the ball from the restart the receiver was buddled back into the Sutton 22 and stripped of the ball on the Sutton right. Gaining the ball Bromsgrove spun the ball from left to right and right wing Bryn Williams ran in to score to the right of the posts. For once the conversion was missed but Bromsgrove had set the tone for the second period stretching their lead to 33-5 and continuing to put Sutton under pressure.

Sutton held out until 25 minutes into the second half when Sutton took a lineout on the halfway line and a long throw to the back of the line was overthrown missing the Sutton players and finding the Bromsgrove no8 Drew Harper, who jumped high to secure the ball and then raced 40 metres to score under the posts giving Will Harris an easy conversion and Bromsgrove a 40-5 lead with 15 minutes to play.

The final 2 minutes of play plus injury time saw three more tries, 2 to Bromsgrove and a final consolation try for Sutton to show their true spirit and determination in adversity as they competed fiercely to the very end. On 38 minutes substitute Luke Hoey picked up an interception on the Sutton 22 to score under the posts and a minute later left wing Josh Holt was presented with the ball following a break at the restart and the winger raced in behind the Sutton defence to score under the posts. Will Harris converted both tries for a 54-5 lead before Suttons left wing Zak Tyler claimed the ball from the restart and found a gap on left to race through cutting infield to score an excellent and moral boosting try for Sutton and he went on to drop goal the conversion in the final seconds of injury time.

Again many positives for Sutton to take from the game but unfortunately the simple errors by Sutton, severely punished by their opponents changed the course of the game and if the costly errors can be eliminated Sutton can end the season on a winning note.

This weekend Sutton welcome Droitwich RFC to the RSG for their last home game of the season and with the game to be played on the weekend of the Old Players annual lunch Sutton will be looking to be seen at their best in front of their illustrious predecessors in their penultimate league game after a testing season of mixed fortunes. KO 3pm.

Match report - 30th Mar 2019

Sutton Dev'l Side 10pts v Bromsgrove 2nd XV 48pts

Midlands Reserve League - Division 2

The Sutton Development Side entertained a strong Bromsgrove 2nd XV at the RSG last weekend but on the day the Sutton lads found the visitors just too strong in a 10-48 defeat after a hard fought contest.

The Bromsgrove players were riding high after the club's 1st XV had secured the Midlands One West league championship with 3 games to spare and the confidence flowed through into the second string but Sutton held them to a 10-26 lead at the break although the visitors kept up the pressure in the second half to win 48-10 at the end of an entertaining game.

The Sutton tries were both scored in the first half by Chris Duckworth and Nick Boddington respectively.

Sutton Coldfield Womens Team

However, Sutton's star team are the Sutton Women, who won their own league with an unbeaten run and this weekend they travel to Wellingborough RFC, Cut Throat Lane, Wellingborough, Northampton, NN29 7TZ, to contest the promotion play-off against Bury St Edmonds Women on Sunday 7th April 2019. KO 2.45pm

Hopefully there will be a large crowd of travelling support for Sutton's most successful team, the all conquering Sutton Women pictured above and it is hoped they will return to the Roger Smoldon Memorial Ground celebrating yet another mighty victory, although injuries and availability of key players has made their task more difficult...but we wish them well!