Match report - 9th Nov 2019

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manger

Stourbridge Lions 15pts v Sutton Coldfield 25pts

After suffering frustratingly close defeats in recent weeks Sutton 1st XV returned to winning ways in style last weekend with a 25-15 bonus point victory over a decent Stourbridge side, who like Sutton have struggled to find their best form and consistency, suffering a stumbling start to the new season and like Sutton the home side desperately needed a win to improve their league prospects... but last Saturday it was the Sutton side, who allowed the quality and style in their team to rise to the surface as they not only created chances but critically they nailed them to score 4 well worked tries for a valuable bonus point plus a conversion and a penalty to secure a much needed victory, in a close fought and entertaining contest.

Boosted by the return of their talented inside centre Jack Duthie, playing alongside the magical Nathan Burchell at outside centre and flanked by speedsters George Creed and new recruit Liam White on the wings, with the fleet footed Lewis Beaty at fly half and sharp-shooter Ben Morgan at fullback, the Sutton back division held a potency waiting to be released by the possession won by a strong pack, which welcomed the return of Jack Woodcock to the key role of no8 and with the experienced Tom Harris in the pivotal role of scrum half, the Sutton side was loaded with potential and ready for what was to come.

It should be noted that having recently joined the Police Force Sutton scrumhalf Tom Harris has been selected in the team to represent the English Police Force at a game to be played in Cardiff in the next week and former long serving Sutton Colt and 1st XV player before moving on, Mike Worthington has gone one better as he has been selected to play for the British Combined Police Force. Congratulations to both players especially Tom, who is still registered at Sutton.

Against this backdrop Sutton kicked off in light drizzle on the Stourbridge all-weather artificial pitch, which although sopping wet provided a firm footing for the runners and Sutton applied the early pressure in the Stourbridge half but maybe Sutton were over eager and they fell foul of the referee conceding a number of successive penalties in the opening 10 minutes. However, Sutton competed well in the scrums and were sound at the lineouts with 2nd row Harry Moxon jumping well to secure good ball, which the Sutton backs used to set up strong attacking positions with long range kicks from their own half being pursued at pace to keep their opponents under pressure.

But for all their pressure Sutton were unable to score and around 15 minutes into the first half Stourbridge kicked a penalty deep into the right corner. Sutton leapt high to tap the ball back in field before it crossed the touchline saving the lineout but unfortunately the ball rolled over the try line and went dead in the dead ball area giving Stourbridge a 5 metre scrum. Stourbridge won the scrum and drove for the try line before releasing the ball and spinning it across in front of the posts to unopposed left wing George Tildesley, who crossed for the opening try with 16 minutes played.

The difficult conversion was missed giving the home side a 5-0 lead but Sutton responded well setting up a wave of attacks and just beyond the mid-way point in the half Sutton drove the ball up their right wing into the Stourbridge 22 when the ball was released infield and fly half Lewis Beaty made a break towards the posts before feeding the ball to his left to be carried to the try line by the pack with no8 Jack Woodcock driving over to mark his return with a well worked try to the left of the posts.

Fullback Ben Morgan landed the tricky conversion to take Sutton into a deserved 7-5 lead with 25 minutes played but unfortunately just minutes later Sutton were harshly awarded a yellow card for dangerous lifting in the tackle and although they had to continue the game with a 7 man pack they produced a good solid performance up to halftime winning a penalty on 37 minutes, which was converted by Ben Morgan to give the visitors a 10-5 lead at the break.

Restored to a full fifteen Sutton started the second half in a positive mood and 11 minutes in a cross field kick by Sutton fly half Lewis Beaty from right to left bounced kindly for left wing George Creedy, who gathered cleanly just outside the Stourbridge 22 and the wily winger beat the defenders to race into the corner for a spectacular try extending the Sutton lead to 15-5.

The difficult conversion drifted just wide of the posts but from the restart the ball was gathered cleanly in the Sutton 22 by 2nd row Harry Moxon. who fed the ball infield and the ball was hoisted high into the air heading towards the Sutton right flank on the Stourbridge 10 metre line pursued by the Sutton speedsters. Under pressure the Stourbridge defender under the high ball misjudged the flight and the ball bounced off his chest into the hands of Sutton's dynamic fly half Lewis Beaty, who gathered the ball and raced down the Sutton right wing outpacing the Stourbridge defenders to score another impressive try out wide on the right.

Unfortunately, again the conversion drifted just wide of the posts but Sutton had extended their lead to 20-5 with 13 minutes of the second half played and the visitors continued to apply sustained pressure in the Stourbridge half earning successive penalties against the beleaguered home side which allowed Sutton to advance from their own half up the right wing with two consecutive kicks resulting in a lineout to Sutton 5 metres from the Stourbridge try line. Sutton's skipper and hooker Dean Ginn, who sets the standards for his team made a well judged throw, which was gathered by the outstanding Harry Moxon setting up a powerful driving maul taking Sutton over the try line and prop Luke Hennessy capped a great game by claiming Sutton's 4th try to earn them an all important bonus point. From a wide angle out on the right the conversion was missed but with 14 minutes to play to the final whistle Sutton held a comfortable 25-5 lead.

To their credit the home side lifted their game in the closing minutes to score two unconverted consolation tries; the first by fly half James Dallison was scored on 72 minutes, when Stourbridge took a quick tap penalty in the Sutton 22 moving the ball from left to right to score close to the posts and then deep into injury time at the end of the game hooker Fred Brookes touched down after another tap penalty was taken quickly in the Sutton 22, this time play moved from right to left but it was not a good day for kickers as the conversion attempts for both tries were off target and the game ended 25-15 in Sutton's favour.

This weekend Sutton travel South to take on Worcester RFC looking to continue with their new found form and belief in their abilities aided by the form shown by the whole team and key play makers like Luke Stewart, Rhoss Price and Jack Woodcock in the back-row, Harry Moxon in the second row and Lewis Beaty, Jack Duthie and Nathan Burchell in the backs. KO 2.15 pm.

All support welcome for what should be another entertaining contest with important league points to play for.

Sunday games - 10th Nov 2019:

Sutton Colts 29pts v Worcester Colts 10pts

North Midlands Colts League - Division One

Sutton Colts welcomed Worcester Colts to the RSG, Walmley Road last Sunday for their North Mids Colts League, which proved to be an entertaining game with Sutton taking the honours with a convincing 29-10 victory.

The Sutton tries were scored by Matty Hurley, with a brace and a try apiece for Adam Carey, Vinnie Prothero and Tom Bishop, who also added two conversions.

Mellish Ladies 33pts v Sutton Ladies 2nd XV 33pts.

Women's NC2 Midlands (North)

The Sutton Ladies second string got off to a good start at Mellish trailing 12-7 at the break thanks to tries by Jada Bailey, converted by Kerrie-Anne Melson on 35 minutes followed quickly by a try for Carla Maleck on 37 minutes, whist restricting Melish to a single converted try scored after 11 minutes of play.

However, the home side came alive in the second half outscoring the visitors 26-21 in a tight contest but Sutton were good for the draw as they ran in 3 more tries gaining a try scoring bonus point to add to their league points. The second half tries were scored by Bella Timmins after 50 minutes, Roisin McBrien after 57 minutes and Connie Bradshaw after 68 minutes, with Kerrie-Anne Melson chipping in with three more conversions for the honourable 33-all draw.

Unfortunately, with 12 minutes left to play Sutton were leading 33-26 and appeared to have secured a memorable victory but Mellish snatched the draw with a converted try in the closing minutes of the game. Never-the less it was a close run game and a great performance by the competative Sutton side, who are improving with every game.