1st XV Match Report - 5th Feb 2022

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager

Match Report - 5th Feb 2022

Sutton Coldfield 24pts v Droitwich RFC 0pts

Midlands 1 West

Last weekend Sutton 1st XV continued their highly successful rehabilitation programme and new found form under head coach Nathan Burchell, when they tactically dismantled close league rivals Droitwich RFC in this twice delayed league fixture at the RSG, which was completed on Saturday 5th Feb 2022 with a convincing 24-0 bonus point victory for the home side.

This particular league fixture was cancelled in March 2020 due to the Covid lockdown bringing an early end to the 2019/20 league season, then when the leagues resumed for the 2021/22 season the game scheduled for the 27th Nov 2021 was postponed due to overnight snow in Sutton but the game went ahead last weekend in front of a large crowd of expectant home supporters looking forward to seeing the Sutton team produce another 2022 star performance and they were not disappointed!

Sutton kicked off in dry but windy conditions and they applied the early pressure scoring in the first 5 minutes for a 5-0 lead, which they fought hard to defend throughout the first half. Their brave defence held firm but they were unable to add to their lead, however in the second half having matched and contained the big Droitwich pack in the set play pieces and shown well organised and resolute defence when needed, in the closing quarter of the game Sutton opened up to score excellent three tries in the final period earning them a valuable bonus point in a well deserved victory to move them ahead of Droitwich in the league table, with Sutton playing excellent rugby and now moving in the right direction, which is what their play has deserved all season.

Before the game, Sutton were pleased to welcome back to 1st XV duties for the first time this season, fullback Miles Gregory and second row Josh Bailey, both having been unavailable for 1st XV selection for quite sometime but happily both heeded the call and settled back into the team immediately making a big impact on the team performance, with Josh boosting the pack and Miles scoring Sutton's final try in the closing seconds to secure the much valued bonus point and cap an excellent return to the 1st XV action. Sutton were also pleased to welcome centre Sam Grimshaw back to partner Laurie Harries in mid field after a few weeks absence to maintain a strong central pairing at the heart of the Sutton mid-field.

As to the game itself, Sutton surged forward from the first kick off and applied early pressure taking the ball over the try line but the ball was adjudged to be held up and a goal line dropout followed from which Sutton forced a penalty, which they kicked to the left corner then drove for the try line. The drive splintered but led by skipper Dean Ginn the pressure was maintained moving right to feed left wing Tom McNamee, who cut infield on a powerful charge to the try line. Although tackled short of the line the powerful winger stretched to place the ball over the line to the left of the posts for the opening try and a 5-0 lead after just 5 minutes play.

Unfortunately the wind disrupted the conversion and although Sutton were unable to extend their lead for the remainder of the first half in spite of a number of chances, they did put up a well organised and disciplined defence to prevent their fired up opponents wiping out the 5-0 lead. With the Sutton pack matching and neutralising the power of the big visitors pack and blind side flanker Sam Harris having one of his best games of the season, with fierce tackling and ferocious defence around the scrums, the Sutton pack generally had the edge and provided a strong platform from which the talented Sutton backline could launch their formidable attacks, so well done the Sutton 8 against formidable opponents.

The game ebbed and flowed through the third quarter but midway through the second half Sutton made the breakthrough after a long period of sustained Sutton pressure and an attack from the halfway line, going left saw Sutton fly half Ben Morgan loop his centres and taking the return ball he raced into the left corner for an excellent score. Again the wind effected the conversion attempt but Sutton had extended their lead to 10-0 with 19 minutes left to play. However, although keen to extend their lead still further Sutton had to turn their attention to steadfast defence again as their opponents sought to eat into their lead but the Sutton defensive wall held firm and with 3 minutes left on the clock Sutton turned defence into attack as they counter attacked up the right wing setting up an opening for right wing Zak Tyler to race into the right corner for a spectacular try, which was converted by fly half Ben Morgan, who judged the wind perfectly to land an excellent touchline conversion to extend Sutton's lead to 17-0...but then immediately from the restart Sutton gathered the ball on the left, advanced into the Droitwich half and then sent fullback Miles Gregory racing down the left touchline to mark his return to the 1st XV with a remarkable try in the left corner giving Sutton a bonus point for a fourth try and Miles the satisfaction of reminding Sutton and himself what they had been missing during his long absence. To add the icing on the cake, again fly half Ben Morgan judged the wind perfectly, from the opposite side of the field, to land the conversion for a well deserved final score line of 24-0.

This weekend the inform Sutton side again put their new found form to the test when they welcome Stratford RFC to the RSG, Walmley Rd for their return leg fixture, having lost the away leg 41-25 in Oct 2021 Sutton know they have some ground to make up. All support welcome for what promises to be a highly entertaining contest. KO 2.15.

Match summary - 4th Feb 2022

Sutton Casuals 61pts v Handsworth RFC 2nd XV 29pts

Friendly Fixture - for the love of rugby, beer and camaraderie.

Last Friday evening 4th Feb 2022 saw the first Sutton Casuals Friday night floodlit rugby festival game in 2022, when a strong Sutton Casuals social team took on a Handsworth 2nd XV in an atmospheric evening of entertaining rugby on the Sutton International Pitch followed by an evening of socialising and camaraderie in the bar afterwards and at the end it was still Friday evening with the whole weekend ahead to spend with the family - perfect.

As to the game it was well attended and the mixed Sutton contingent held all the aces in a 61-29 victory, after a competitive and sporting contest enjoyed by all the players and spectators alike - long may these events continue.

Match summary - 6th Feb 2022.

Sutton Colts 5pts v Dudley Kingswinsford Colts 21pts.

Unfortunately the Sutton Colts game on Sunday was not such a happy event; from Sutton's point of view this particular
fixture was fated from the start as a growing injury list meant that Sutton only had 14 fit players able to take the field at the start of the game. D-K sportingly loaned Sutton a player so the game started with 15 players aside but unfortunately the game was beset by injuries to the Sutton side during a torrid first 45 minutes, when the match was abandoned as Sutton were reduced to 10 players during the course of the shortened game.

Two of the Sutton players received head injuries due to blows to the head causing concussion and swelling so they now need rest and recuperation and two lads had to go to A&E suffering from whiplash and a hamstring tear respectively, requiring further scans but all four should be ok although not available for rugby in the near future.

These four injuries incurred at the weekend stretch the current injury list to 8 players making it unlikely that Sutton can raise a team to compete in the upcoming fixtures in the coming weeks - watch this space!

On the plus side Sutton's solitary try was scored by Ethan Fryer in response to three tries from the visitors all converted.