1st XV Match report - 12th March 2022

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match day picture(courtesy of David Taylor);
Clark Wells going for the line.

Sutton Coldfield 36pts v Wolverhampton RFC 38pts

Midlands 1 West

In a classic game of two halves, last weekend Sutton 1st XV produced a dominant first half performance taking an impressive 23-10 lead into the break but unfortunately just after the Sutton pack scored a pushover try at the end of the first half, a leg injury to a second Wolves prop meant they had no more front row replacements so they requested uncontested scrums for the duration of the second half, which the referee had to agree to... and although the visitors were reduced to 14 men at the start of the second half as a consequence, Sutton lost their advantage in the scrums disrupting their game plan and Wolves took full advantage scoring 3 quick tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second half to race into a 31-23 lead, which extended to 38-26 before Sutton recovered their composure to score two excellent tries in the final minutes to close the game at 38-36.

The first half performance and the fight back in the final minutes showed the strength of the Sutton side but the lapse at the start of the second half shows that there is still work to be done to develop the full consistant match winning potential of this talented young side, which saw 18 year old Archie Grimshaw make an impressive first team debut and newly installed flanker Chris Duckworth having always played in the backs showed, with his defence, ball carrying ability and the ground he covered in a very impressive performance, that he has the makings of a very good no6 plus Sutton were pleased to welcome Josh Bailey back at no8 to add his power to the team performance scoring 2 great tries to cap an excellent return to the 1st XV.

As to the game itself, Wolves kicked off on a dry, sunny day and although Sutton, with the wind behind them, had the better of the early exchanges with most of the opening play in the visitors half, as Sutton set up a promising attack down their left wing the ball was dropped and Wolves picked up to race 50 metres down the right touchline. Running in support winger Zak Aldridge was on hand to receive the scoring pass for a dramatic opening try and with centre Liam Holder adding the conversion Sutton found themselves 7-0 down against the run of play, after just 6 minutes.

Undaunted and with the Sutton pack working well to dominate the forward exchanges, Sutton made good progress and applied sustained pressure in the Wolves half setting up a 5 metre scrum from which they scored a pushover try grounded by no8 Joss Bailey and converted by fly half Ben Morgan to level the scores at 7-7 with 12 minutes played. Encouraged by the score Sutton continued to press home their advantage keeping play in the Wolves half and great interplay took the ball forward with 2nd row powerhouse George Ord striding towards the try line before off loading to livewire flanker Chris Duckworth to complete the well worked score putting Sutton 12-7 up with 24 minutes to play to the break.

In the ensuing play Sutton were penalised in front of their posts and Liam Holden kicked the 3 points to close to 12-10, before Sutton's Ben Morgan replied in kind to restore the 5 point lead at 15-10, then minutes later the fly half landed another penalty to stretch the Sutton lead to 18-10 with just 2 minutes left to play before the halftime break. Time enough following the restart for the Sutton pack to camp on the Wolves try line with successive scrums and although Sutton's scrum half Zak Tyler gathered the ball at the base of the scrum and dashed over for what looked like a perfectly good try he was called back due to a collapsed scrum and the scrum was reset. This time the Sutton pack made sure and they drove their opponents back over their try line to give no8 Josh Bailey his second pushover try of the day. Unfortunately the conversion drifted wide but Sutton took a deserved 23-10 lead into the break and at this point they looked set for a good result.

However, in the build up to the try a Wolverhampton prop injured his leg and was judged unable to carry on in the second half. Apparently this was the second Wolverhampton prop to be injured during the course of the game. The first suffered an ankle injury midway through the first half and as the one front row replacement had been used, Wolves only had two experienced front row players available therefore they were granted uncontested scrums throughout the second half neutralising Sutton's dominance at the scrum, which changed the balance of the game and although Wolves had to drop a player to play with 14 men, it was the visitors who adjusted better to the new situation scoring 3 rapid converted tries in the 15 minutes after the break.

The first of the three tries that changed the course of the game came from Zak Aldridge on 9 minutes, when the winger cut infield to score by the posts after a fluid passing movement, then centre Alex Bird snatched an interception on the Wolves 22 to break up a promising Sutton attack and race 80 metres to score under the Sutton posts before no8 Ben Barnes muscled in for a close range try by the Sutton posts and with centre Liam Holder landing all three conversions Sutton found themselves trailing 31-23 with 15 minutes left to play.

Stunned, Sutton set about reducing the deficit with another penalty from Ben Morgan to close to 26-31 on 28 minutes but Wolves snatched another try by centre Alex Bird converted by Liam Holder to push the score out to 38-26 on 31 minutes before Sutton came alive and made their final push, scoring two well worked tries in the closing minutes of the game.

The first of the all important tries was scored in style by Sutton's prodigious 17 year fullback Matt Smith, who raced over after excellent team play created the opening to score what was Sutton's 4th try for a bonus point, which also brought Sutton within 7 points to earn a losing bonus point; then with Sutton chasing the draw the equally talented Clark Wells, Sutton's recent recruit from their junior ranks crossed for Sutton's 5th try of the day. Unfortunately the well directed conversion, which would have levelled the scores, was deflected by the gusty wind and sailed agonisingly close to the outside of the far post. So the final score remained regrettably 38-36.

Sutton take a well deserved break from league rugby this weekend taking time to reflect on the progress they have made in 2022 and the things they need to address before returning to league action again away to Droitwich RFC 26th March 2022. KO 3pm.

Match 2 - 12th March 2022

Sutton 2nd XV 24pts v Birmingham Uni, School of Engineering 31pts

Friendly

Last Saturday a strong Sutton 2nd XV acted as hosts to a team of young students from Birmingham University, School of Engineering and in a very entertaining close fought contest the talented students edged a 31-24 victory with their youthful enthusiasm carrying the day after a fine performance by the Sutton second string players, who were pleased to welcome back former club captain Jack Woodcock.

The Sutton points came from 4 tries and 2 conversions. The tries were scored by Sam Harris with a brace and a try each for James Well and Adam McNally, respectively.

Match 3 - 13th March 2022

Stafford Colts 50pts v Sutton Colts 12pts

Friendly

Last Sunday Sutton Colts travelled to Stafford with only 10 players due to injuries and availability problems but although Sutton had to forfeit the league game they did play a friendly with players loaned by Stafford and with some Sutton players playing out of position. Not surprising, Sutton lost 50-12 but the team management and players deserve great credit for giving Stafford a game - well done all!

The Sutton points were scored by Ben Sheard, with a tap & go penalty after 27 minutes and one of the loan players scored a try after 60 minutes, with Adam Parr adding the conversion.