Sutton Coldfield RFC 1st XV
Matches
Sutton Coldfield RFC 1st XVOverviewMatchesTableSquadStatsReports
Sat 09 Apr 2022  ·  Midlands 1 West
Kenilworth
43
17
Sutton Coldfield RFC
Sutton Coldfield RFC 1st XV
1st XV Match report - 9th April 2022

1st XV Match report - 9th April 2022

Ken Sims12 Apr 2022 - 15:49
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.suttoncoldfieldrfc

Kenilworth RFC 43pts v Sutton Coldfield 17pts

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 9th April 2022

Kenilworth RFC 43pts v Sutton Coldfield 17pts

Midlands 1 West

Sutton continued their recent good form into the first half of this challenging away fixture against a highly rated Kenilworth team placed second in the league behind Lichfield and now assured of promotion to level 5, in the National Leagues, as Sutton recovered quickly from conceding a converted try in the opening 30 seconds to trail 7-0 as Kenilworth made the perfect start but Sutton made their presence felt with good attacking play to level at 7-7 after 12 minutes and a keen competition developed with the teams level 14-14 at the break with the local supporters expressing surprise at what the formbooks had promised would be a walkover for the home side.

Unfortunately the second half did go with the form book as Kenilworth stepped up a gear and Sutton faltered allowing the pace & experience of their hosts to dominate the second half. A combination of basic errors, yellow cards at key moments and fitness towards the end of a torrid half gave the home side a 43-17 victory and Sutton cause for reflection as the season draws to a close.

The game started with Kenilworth kicking off in dry sunny conditions in front of a large expectant crowd including many old players who had just enjoyed their annual Old Players Lunch and were ready to be entertained and they duly were.

Sutton received the kick off on their left and play progressed up the left wing but the ball was in gathered by Kenilworth and a smart shimmy wrong footed the Sutton players and the burly Kenilworth centre made a break down his right wing passing inside as the defenders closed in to send scrum half Gareth Renowden racing in for a dramatic opening try to the right of the posts... and with fly half Harry O'Brien adding the conversion the hosts had made the perfect start to lead 7-0 after under 1 minute of play, with things looking ominous for the Sutton side.

But with their newly found belief Sutton fought back with creative attacking play and when Sutton scrumhalf Ollie Green launched a well judged 50-22 kick from open play in his own half bouncing into touch, it gave Sutton the lineout in the Kenilworth 22 on the Sutton right. 2nd row Ollie Gregory rose high to win the ball which was fed into midfield and centre Laurie Harries darted through a gap to score to the left of the posts. Fellow centre Tom McNamee stepped up to add the conversion and Sutton were back in the game, level at 7-7 with 12 minutes played.

Play progressed steadily with Sutton holding on well at the scrums and lineout, then midway through the first half Sutton held a Kenilworth scrum on the Sutton try line and secured the ball but were denied possession and the scrum was reset with Kenilworth given the put-in. Again Sutton held the drive but scrum half Gareth Renowden picked up at the base of the scrum and dived over from close range to score to the right of the posts. Fly half Harry O'Brien added the easy conversion to retake the lead at 14-7 with 20 minutes to play to the break.

Again Sutton redoubled their efforts and Sutton game close to scoring with fullback Matt Smith appearing to set up left wing George Creed with a clear run to the line but after a bit of a juggle the ball was judged to have gone forward and the winger was called back but 3 minutes before the break Sutton made no mistake with a passing movement across the face of the Kenilworth posts moving left to right to reach right wing Archie Grimshaw, who had little room to work in but he beat his man in the corner then ran round in field to ground the ball to the right of the posts for an excellent try and full credit to the talented young winger.

Centre Tom McNamee stroked home the conversion to again level the scores 14-14 at the break setting the scene for an entertaining second 40 minutes but unfortunately 10 minutes into the second half Sutton received a harsh yellow card for a 'high tackle' against an illusive Kenilworth winger who chose to duck into the tackle, happily he was unhurt and Sutton continued with 14 men and a depleted pack. However, the pack that remained performed well and they escaped sustained pressure on their try line in the right corner following the yellow card, only for Kenilworth to reapply the forward pressure in the Sutton left corner minutes later and this time Kenilworth no7 Mikkel Andresen found a way past the Sutton defensive wall to score to the right of the posts.

Harry O'Brien added the conversion to allow Kenilworth to retake the lead at 21-14 and although Sutton fullback Matt Smith landed a well judged 40 metre penalty to close to 21-17 just 2 minutes later, from that point the game started to drift away from Sutton and with 23 minutes gone in the second half fullback Sam Peppitt found a gap in the Sutton defence to cross for the hosts 4th try gaining them a bonus point and a lead of 26-17.

Then on 25 minutes Sutton received another yellow card for not retreating 10 metres when a quick tap penalty was taken and the attacking player cleverly ran straight into him. So once again Sutton were reduced to 14 men at a critical point in the game and they were made to pay as Kenilworth took full advantage to run in three tries in the last 10 minutes.

The first of the trio of tries came on 30 minutes when no 8 Bobby Thompson broke from the back of a scrum on the Sutton try line to score to the left of the posts for 31-17, then on 35 minutes centre Todd Freemantle emerged from a melee in the Sutton 22 to score to the left of the posts, taking the score to 36-17 with both conversion missed. The final try came on 40 minutes deep into injury time, when fly half Harry O'Brien found a big gap in the tiring Sutton defence and the experienced fly half ran in for a try, which he converted himself for the final score line of 43-17.

All at Sutton wish Kenilworth RFC well next season when they face their new challenge at Level 5 in the National Leagues.

Sutton performed well at times against stiff opposition but have points to reflect on if they are to continue to progress against the top teams, but this weekend they have a chance to return to winning ways in their penultimate match, with a floodlit game against Worcester RFC at the RSG, Thursday 14th April 2022. KO 7.30.

All support welcome to enjoy the special atmosphere of floodlit rugby and the camaraderie in the bar afterwards, ahead of the Easter weekend!

Match summary - 9th April 2022

Sutton 2nd XV 82pts v Bournville 3rd XV 0pts

League game

Last weekend a strong Sutton 2nd XV welcomed a Bournville XV to the RSG, Walmley Road and recorded a convincing 82-0 defeat over their sporting opponents, who played on in what was regrettably a serious mismatch.

The Sutton side were on fire scoring 14 tries in the fast paced 82-0 league victory. The try fest was led by Miles Gregory, who scored 4 tries, Will Ballion and Harry Bamber, who scored a brace each, followed by a try each for the following players, Sam Harris, Josh Groom, Dan Jones, Charles Snow, Mark McEvoy and Lee Kazeem, with Chris Hendley landing 5 conversions and Will Ballion adding 1 to complete the Sutton scoring.

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Apr 2022

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Midlands 1 West

League position

2
Kenilworth
12
Sutton Coldfield
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities - Sponsorship at SCRFC
Main Partner & Club Sponsor - Ansons Solicitors
Key Sponsor  - EHSmith Buillders Merchants
Sponsor - Thermaset Ltd
Sponsor  - Sewell & Wood Network
Sponsor - Hat Box Ltd
1st XV Top Sponsor  - Maptalent
Player Sponsor - Henry Nevitt - Renderclad
Player Sponsor - Jack Wells  - Social Scalers
Official  Kit Supplier  - Vulcan Sports