1st XV Match report - 29th Jan 2022

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match report - 29th Jan 2022

Stoke-on-Trent RUFC 33pts v Sutton Coldfield RFC 20pts

Midlands 1 West

After their impressive and long awaited second win of the league season against 8th placed Old Halesonians the previous week, last weekend Sutton 1st XV tested their new found form when they stepped up the class of their opposition when they travelled into Staffordshire to face 2nd placed Stoke at their hill top fortress and although the formbook favoured 2nd from the top Stoke, who have lost only 2 games this season, over 2nd from the bottom Sutton, who have only won 2 games this season...it was the visitors who made the better start taking a 10-0 lead with 2 tries in the opening 11 minutes and with a howling gale swirling around their heads on the exposed pitch but unfortunately Sutton let the lead slip and they lost a close fought game 33-20 but the try count was 5-4 in a highly entertaining well balanced match enjoyed by the spectators and encouraging for the Sutton contingent, who saw a continued improvement in the Sutton performance.

The strong gusting wind proved to be a problem for the kickers on both sides but the Stoke fly half Andy Marsh has clearly mastered the Staffordshire wind as he landed 4 of his 5 conversions some from wide out with perfect judgement - practise makes perfect!

Sutton were not so fortunate with their wind effected conversion attempts and the successful conversions exaggerated the score line in an otherwise tight contest.

Having made his impressive debut off the bench the previous week, 17 year old Sutton protégé Matthew Smith joined his father, long serving prop David Smith in the starting line-up last weekend and he made an immediate impact at fullback scoring his 1st try for the Sutton 1st XV after just 11 minutes play, in only his second game at this senior level - he has much to offer.

Stoke had kicked off on a dry but exposed pitch with a fierce and gusting wind threatening to disrupt play, however Sutton made a strong start with positive attacking play by the backs and forwards alike using the wind to good effect but also passing with care and precision to set up an attack through the mid-field before swinging the ball left and into the hands of left wing Tom McNamee, who powered down the left touchline to score an excellent try in the left corner.

Unfortunately, the strong wind blew the well struck conversion off course and Sutton had to settle for a 5-0 lead after 7 minutes of play but from the restart Sutton continued to press and a break from midfield by Sutton no8 Will Mitchell was taken on by scrum half Ollie Green, who chipped a grubber kick through for fullback Matt Smith to chase, skilfully gather in the face of the opposition and race over the try line for a well worked try extending the Sutton lead to 10-0 after 11 minutes of play. Again the wind deflected the conversion but Sutton were certainly in the game.

However, 18 minutes into the game the strong Stoke pack started to exert themselves and although Sutton had been holding them in the set plays, at a 5 metre scrum on the Sutton try line the home pack got the edge and they scrambled over for a try in the right corner, which in spite of the wind was expertly converted by fly half Andy Marsh to take the score to 7-10 in Sutton's favour. Then 4 minutes later Stoke took play up their left touchline before bringing play back infield to score by the left post for an easier conversion, which gave the host club a 14-10 lead with 18 minutes to play to the break...but the Stoke revival was not finished and 6 minutes later the Stoke pack pressed hard on the Sutton try line and they eventually scrambled a try by the left post, which again was converted by fly half Andy Marsh to give him 3 out of 3 conversions and Stoke 21 points in 10 minutes for a 21-10 lead with 12 minutes to play to the break.

The game ebbed and flowed up to the break with no further score but from the start of the second half Sutton again pressed hard and an attack carried play into the Stoke 22 on the Sutton right wing. As the ball became free Sutton fly half Ben Morgan launched an inch perfect kick high across the 22 where left wing Tom McNamee leapt to safely claim the ball then brushing aside opposition players he raced over the try line for a spectacular try, especially in the conditions. Again the wind disrupted the conversion but Sutton closed to 21-15, just 6 minutes into the second period.

Unfortunately midway through the second half Sutton suffered a second yellow card for collapsing a drive and whilst down to 14 men with 7 in the pack, Stoke took advantage and gaining the ball from a lineout they drove for the line but when held they rolled off to score in the right corner and Andy Marsh amazed again with a touchline conversion giving Stoke a 28-15 lead with16 minutes to play.

In the closing period Stoke scored their 5th try following a break from a forward drive in the Sutton 22 which exploited a gap to score in the right corner. The conversion was missed but the score stood at 33-15 with 4 minutes left on the clock, however Sutton were determined to go away with something and straight from the restart they drove play deep into the Stoke 22 on the Sutton left, winning a 5 metre scrum and gathering the ball at the base of the scrum Sutton no8 Will Mitchell broke wide to the right and powered over the try line for a superb try and an all important 4th try bonus point.

Although losing the game Sutton continue to show all round improvement and with players like T J Allwood playing 7 and Will Michell playing 8 having moved from the backs to fill vacancies in the pack with great effect and the new players slotting so well in the centre with Laurie Harries and Clark Wells already impressing with their skills and ability the future looks good at Sutton.

This weekend Sutton welcome Droitwich RFC for the long awaited M1W fixture which was cancelled in March 2020, due to the Covid outbreak, then postponed in November 2021 due to snow, so we hope this weekend the fixture goes ahead as planned as the game is important to both clubs. An entertaining game is in prospect. All support welcome at the RSG, Walmley Road. KO 2.15.

Match summary report - 29th Jan 2022

Bromsgrove 3rd XV 17pts v Sutton 2nd XV 27pts

Last Saturday Sutton 2nd XV travelled to National 3, Midlands Premier League club Bromsgrove and after a keen contest the Sutton second string returned to winning ways with an impressive 27-17 victory after a 5-8 blip the previous week but they are now comfortably back on track.

The Sutton points were scored by Archie Grimshaw with two tries, with 1 try each for; Dan Baldock, Raheel Hussain, Lee Kazeem and Adam McNally completed the points tally with a conversion.