Match reports - 12th Oct 2019

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manger

Sutton Coldfield 25pts v Newbold RFC 30pts

In spite of a positive performance against a powerful Newbold side, who over the years have proved to be Sutton's nemesis, once again Sutton fell short of overall victory and had to settle for a losing bonus point in a 25-30 narrow defeat after a highly entertaining hard fought contest... and although Sutton were outmuscled in the set scrums, conceding two pushover tries in the game, with the ball in hand and going forward Sutton were very impressive outscoring their opponents 3 tries to 2 in open play. One can only imagine how the game would have run, if Sutton had achieved parity in the scrums providing a good platform to operate from.

Sutton kicked off in dry perfect playing conditions in front of an enthusiastic home crowd plus a large contingent of fiercely loyal travelling supporters, who had enjoyed a buffet lunch before the match and were in good voice from the start as the Newport side applied the early pressure immediately returning play to the Sutton half, where they launched a wave of premeditated attacks destined to sweep Sutton's resistance aside but the Sutton defence held firm until 9 minutes into the game Sutton's newly installed robust front row find Jamie James had to leave the field heading for hospital with a suspect dislocated elbow.

With Jamie James on his way to hospital, he was replaced from the bench by the versatile Jonah Falconer but before the highly rated replacement could settle to his task the game was restarted with a 5 metre scrum to Newbold and they proceeded to push Sutton back over their try line for a powerful pushover try, which was scored by no9 Huw Thomas and converted by fly half Dan O'Brien to give the visitors a daunting 7-0 lead after 10 minutes play.

After the restart emboldened Newbold kept up their pressure in the Sutton half and having kicked a penalty into the right corner they won the resulting lineout, then they set up a strong driving maul heading for the Sutton try line allowing hooker Stuart Houghton to claim their second try, which went unconverted but extended the lead to 12-0 after 19 minutes of play.

At this point mid-way through the first half Sutton came alive, with first a brilliant kick ahead after the restart, which evaded the Newport defenders and bounced awkwardly into the visitors 22 before being gathered and taken on by the Sutton chasers. With the ball in Sutton hands play advanced down their left flank towards the Newport try line before being released to Sutton's fly half Lewis Beaty, who swept through a gap in the midfield defence to claim an excellent score to the right of the posts. His halfback partner Ollie Green stepped up to slot home the conversion putting Sutton on the scoreboard at 7-12 with 21 minutes played and then Sutton stepped up the pace and put the visitors under increased pressure resulting in two penalties in 7 minutes; the first shortly after the restart following the Sutton try saw Newbury caught off side in midfield and then Newport were penalised with a yellow card for a no arms tackle on 32 minutes and with Ollie Green converting both penalties Sutton took a 13-12 with 8 minutes to play up to the break.

Unfortunately with halftime approaching Newport were able to force their way back into the lead with another pushover try from 5 metres scored by no8 Sam Thompson and converted by no10 Dan O'Brien to give the visitors a halftime lead of 19- 13, which they extended to 24-13 just 4 minutes into the second half, when Sutton lost the ball in mid-field and subsequently the ball was kicked through for a chase down the Newport left wing and centre Ethan Wookey won the race to touchdown in the left corner for an unconverted try, which extended the deficit to 24-13.

Undaunted by the set-back Sutton again stepped up their game and won a penalty which was kicked to the corner for an attacking lineout. The ball was won cleanly and although the Sutton drive for the try line was stopped short, newly return second row player Lewis Belton rolled off the side of the maul to claim his debut try for this season and although the difficult conversion was missed Sutton had closed to 18-24 with 16 minutes of the second half played.

Then with 25 minutes played Newport reinstated a 9 point deficit 27-18 when fly half O'Brien kicked a 30 metre penalty after Sutton were caught offside in mid-field but resilient Sutton bounced back with impressive play setting up another chance for Lewis Beaty, who again found a gap in the Newport defensive wall in their 22 to score by the posts giving Ben Morgan a straight forward conversion as he returned to the goal kicking duties and Sutton closed to within 2 points at 25-27 but within minutes of the restart Sutton were penalised for not releasing after the tackle and O'Brien added 3 more points to take the score to 30-25 and although Sutton threw everything into the closing minutes they came close but apparently not within the laws as a kick ahead was going into touch the pursuing Sutton player leapt high and deflected the ball into the hands of a Sutton supporting player running down the left touchline with a clear run to the try line but the knockdown was judged to go forward and the play was called back... so the final score stayed at 25-30.

Although Sutton suffered yet another injury to a key player with the injury to prop Jamie James, who after his hospital visit has established that he has broken a bone in his arm, which hopefully will repair in a matter of 6 to 8 weeks but in spite of this set back Sutton still have things to celebrate from this game including the welcome return of 19 year old Lewis Belton, who scored a try to celebrate his return and underline his value to the team plus two tries for Lewis Beaty on his league debut after joining the club in the summer but unfortunately he suffered an injury in the preseason warm-up games and is only now able to take his place in the team. The game also saw the welcome return of the versatile Mike Burns, who has been unavailable to Sutton for many months but has now returned to the club and was able to support the Sutton effort from the bench.

This weekend Sutton face another stiff test when they travel to Old Halesonians to continue their 2019/20 league campaign and they will be hoping for a change of fortune on the injury front, whilst looking forward to a keen fought contest for all. KO 3pm.

Sutton Casuals - 11th Oct 2019

Sutton Casuals 17pts v Wednesbury RFC 19pts

Friendly social occasion

The Sutton Casuals and their opponents Wednesbury plus the many supporters from both sides, all enjoyed an excellent Friday evening with the floodlights creating an excellent atmosphere for the game and the bar provided an excellent venue for the post match celebrations.

As to the game itself Sutton Casuals had a strong turnout with older 'retired' players returning to join younger enthusiastic social players to take on an established 2nd XV from Wednesbury RFC and both teams performed well to produce a close fought compelling contest enjoyed by all, with the visitors securing a narrow 19-17 victory but in the final analysis it was a victory for the sport of rugby and SCRFC.

The evening was notable for the return of Sutton legends and past players in the shape of ex-club captain Peter Benson, Ben Hillier and Steve Hoole to name just a few. who all featured in the successful teams of the late 90's but returned to don the famous green jersey once again as their illustrious playing careers draw to a close. Good for them!

Any players interested in taking up the opportunity of playing social rugby as a way of keeping fit and having fun, please contact Dave Bunn on 07585 554998 or just turn up to training around 7pm at the Walmley Rd ground any Monday evening and make yourself known.

Sutton 2nd XV - 12th Oct 2019

Sutton Coldfield 2nd XV 0pts v Newbold 2nd XV 48pts

Midlands Reserve League - Division 3

Having fielded 26 players for the popular Friday evening social game, Sutton wondered if they would have enough spare players fit to make up a full team for the Saturday 2nd team league fixture, which they did achieve all.be.it by asking some of the players to play in both games and in the event although fielding a competitive side, on the day the Newbold opposition were just too strong as they raced into a 22-0 lead at the break and though Sutton made a game of it the visitors ran out winners by 48 pts to nil but in spite of the score line it was an entertaining game and Sutton's first league defeat of the season.

Sutton Colts - 13th Oct 2019

Sutton Colts 12pts v Bromsgrove Colts 5pts

North Midlands Colts League - Division 1

Sutton Colts, under the guidance and instruction provided by chief coach Ed Moore, took a significant step forward last Sunday with an excellent 12-5 victory over a Colts side representing Midlands Premier Club Bromsgrove.

In the game Sutton took a 5-0 lead after Sam Williams scored a try in the 16th minute of the game, a lead which Sutton carried into the break and then a consolation try for Bromsgrove and a second try for Sutton scored by Jamie Moore, converted by Tom Bishop on 62 minutes, gave Sutton a deserved 12-5 victory plus valuable league points.