When two tribes go to war

An eagerly awaited fixture kicked off with Sutton chasing down the ball putting the visitors under pressure immediately, from the off both sets of players ploughed into each other with unerring ferocity. The deadlock was broken by Sutton with a try in the corner after some good play from the forwards helped to create the space for the backs to exploit, the conversion just missed.
Stoke struck back with a try of their own in the opposite corner the score level at 5-5 after 12 minutes, two quick tries from Sutton before the half time whistle saw the hosts take a hard fought 17-5 lead into the break.
The second half saw a change of referee through injury, and from the kick-off Stoke showed their intentions with some strong play resulting in two tries of their own again leveling the score at 17-17 with the second period only 10 minutes old. With a determined resolve, Sutton, exhibiting a strong character, responded almost immediately scoring twice again in the corner extending their lead to 27-17.
Powerful play by both sets of forwards made for an intriguing competition, Sutton's overall strength saw them win the battle of the set pieces whilst the backs played with a sense of freedom.
Stoke held their own, competing at the breakdown and in the open posing questions of the Sutton team that very few teams have managed to do.
This game certainly lived up to its billing, showing the high quality of both squads.
Power, passion, skill, understanding of the game and the will to win were all qualities evident to everyone on the touchline as two evenly match sides battled against each other giving no quarter at any stage. A fantastic example of how to play the game, pushing the envelope at every opportunity sometimes getting away with it and sometimes getting caught.
When the final whistle blew each player could safely say they had left everything on the playing field, the final score 27-17.