Match report - 4th Sept 2021

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Lichfield RFC 1st XV 59 pts v Sutton Coldfield 1st XV 19 pts

Last weekend Sutton 1st XV made a disappointing start to their 2021/22 league campaign when they received a harsh reality check provided by an ambitious and high flying Lichfield outfit who finished 3rd in the last truncated league season in 2019/20 and the home side continued where they left off against a Sutton side who had trouble adjusting to the pace of the game in the opening period and as a consequence Sutton found themselves trailing 26-0 after just 20 minutes of play. Lichfield went on to outscore the visitors by 9 tries to 3 in a fast paced game to the delight of the home supporters but in spite of the result it can be said that the fans of both teams were pleased to see the return of competitive league rugby matches and whilst Lichfield got off to a flying start Sutton can resolve to do better in the upcoming games.

Lichfield kicked off on a bright day with a firm dry pitch under foot and the early exchanges saw the play switch between the two 22's with Sutton taking play back deep into the Lichfield half from the kick off but in a telling counter attack from their own half Lichfield broke through the Sutton defensive line on halfway to create an overlap on the right and full back Cam Pallister raced in for the opening try to the right of the posts after just 5 minutes of play.

The conversion drifted across the face of the posts but Lichfield had an early 5-0 lead and although Sutton competed well they were unable to make a significant inpact on the proceedings and in their frustration they were guilty of conceding too many penalties costing them possession and territory, which Lichfield were quick to capitalise on keeping Sutton pinned back in their own 22... then camped on their own try line Sutton suffered a yellow card for an infringement at the scrum and although the Sutton 7 man pack held the 5 metre scrum Lichfield picked up at the base of the scrum to send fly half Adam Spinner in for their second try, which captain and flanker Charlie Milner converted to take the hosts into a 12-0 lead with 15 minutes played.

From the restart the visitor's growing frustrations got the better of them and their discipline failed as they were marched back 20 metres for consecutive spoken dissent towards the referee, taking play back deep into the Sutton half with no effort required by Lichfield, who found themselves in a strong attacking position on their left wing and hooker Jack Fielding completed the route by grounding the ball for a try in the left corner. Charlie Milner landed an excellent touchline conversion to stretch the lead to 19-0 with 17 minutes played then again from the restart Lichfield counter attacked up their left wing before switching play to the right and full back Cam Pallister took the ball on in the Sutton 22 to race into the right corner. Again captain Charlie Milner landed another excellent touchline conversion this time right footed from the right touchline to extend the Sutton deficit to 26-0 midway through the first half.

Shaken and a little stirred Sutton steadied themselves at the restart and they launched an attack of their own but as left wing George Creed was dodging for the corner he was brought down dangerously and this time it was Lichfield that had a man sent to the bin and for a short while it was 14 v 14 but Sutton continued to show improvement and a sharp interception by Sutton centre Will Mitchell on the Lichfield 10 metre line, saw the strong centre race in for a debut try to the left of the posts and with fly half Ben Morgan slotting the conversion Sutton had a score on the board at 26-7 with 31 minutes played but unfortunately Sutton's revival was short lived when 4 minutes later Lichfield won a 5 metre scrum on the Sutton try line and although Sutton held strong to prevent the pushover try flanker Calum Turner broke free to score and with Charlie Milner kicking the conversion Lichfield carried a 33-7 lead into the break.

During the break the Sutton team had reason to reflect on the cost of their ill discipline and penalties, which lose possession and territory and missed tackles, which cost tries and as a result they made a better fist of the second half but they still struggled to contain the enthusiasm and energy of the lively and confident Lichfield side, who started the second period with a try within 3 minutes of the restart as Sutton chipped ahead into the Lichfield half but the ball was gathered by the home side and an inter-passing counterattack up the Lichfield left wing led to a try for fly half Adam Spinner stretching the lead to 38-7 and setting back the Sutton recovery.

However, showing their true character Sutton rallied against the odds and they created a try for long serving prop and past club captain Sean Harrison, who grounded the ball over the line as Sutton won a 5 metre lineout on the Lichfield try line then formed a driving maul to give the prop his deserved try, which was converted by fly half Ben Morgan to close to 38-14 with 11 minutes of the second half played...but then Lichfield reasserted their control of the game by scoring a trio of tries all converted by Charlie Milner. The first of the trio came on 58 minutes and was scored by no 8 Rich Burton picking up from the base of a scrum on the Sutton try line, then on 62 minutes centre Matt Hurley raced in for a try playing advantage after Sutton knocked on in their own 22 and finally Lichfield hooker Jack Fielding showed his running skills as he weaved his way through the Sutton defenders to score a ninth try for the home side to bring the score to 59-14 with around 7 minutes left to play.

The only thing Sutton could salvage from the game at this point was a try scoring bonus point for 4 tries and to their credit the team lifted their spirits in pursuit of this consolation prize... and with 3 minutes left to play livewire flanker Jack Wells grounded the ball over the try line following a catch and drive from a 5 metre lineout to claim the first of the two tries required to close to 59-19 but time ran out as they went in search of the illusive 4th try and Sutton were left to reflect on the lessons learned in their defeat at the hands of a team that are surely destined to be strong title contenders at the end of the season.

The Sutton coaches now have to pickup the pieces and focus on the positives that came out of this game as they prepare for the visit of Ludlow RFC to the Roger Smoldon Ground this weekend 11th Sept 2021, to continue their campaign with the second game of the 2021/22 league programme. KO 3 pm.