Improved performance

MATCH 1
Team - Frankie, George, Taran, Spencer, James, Autumn, Gabriel, Ryan
Score - Sutton 2 Droitwich 19

A difficult and tough game for Sutton when faced with a very organised and confident Droitwich side. The score flattered Droitwich and was unduly harsh on Sutton - some very brave play was compounded by an excessive amount of turnovers which allowed Droitwich to run away with the game.

1st Half
The game started well for Sutton with some strong tackling from George leading to an early turnover and the ball being taken by Sutton. Fine running from George, James and Taran led to an early score. 1-0!

The advantage was quickly conceded when the Droitwich runner was allowed to scythe through our defences from the restart to level the score. The tide turned from this point with a string of minor injuries to the Sutton players impacting play, and the Droitwich side taking advantage to start to build up a lead. Despite some great tackling from individuals and as a team, the score was soon 7-1 to Droitwich.

Autumn often displayed a fantastic turn of speed and aggression also in her tackling, but the organisation of the Droitwich defence did not allow a way through; George, Frankie and James continued to run at the opposition and try to force a way through; Ryan tackled like a demon; Spencer showed great pace in his runs, whilst Gabriel and Taran continued to push and plug away at the Droitwich defence. Gabriel continued a run started through James and Autumn to give Sutton another score late in the 1st half.

2nd half
The second half started brightly, with the team pressing well, some great running, passing and support given; the best play by Sutton for the match - the ball was ultimately run into touch leading to a turnover. A dropped ball by Droitwich led to a further turnover high in the Droitwich half, but Sutton were unable to press the advantage, with the ball being dropped and changing hands again.....this time Droitwich ran through to score.

The remainder of the half continued to follow the same pattern with Droitwich extending their lead.

Some great individual flashes of play could not get us back into the game and the game ended at 19-2.

A brave and courageous performance by Sutton, and one we should take heart from. Focus needs to be given to maintaining hold and control of the ball to ensure we maximise our opportunities to score.

MATCH 2
Team - Ben, Kyle, Henry, Alex D, Ruben, Alex M, Archie
Score - Sutton 8 Droitwich 5

A solid performance from Sutton leading to a well deserved win. All of the boys played an important role in the victory and showed great heart and passion to secure the win. The score was kind to Droitwich - on our day we would have won with greater ease than we did. More Ready Brek needed in the mornings......

1st half
A strong start to the game saw Sutton quickly create a lead of 2, with tries scored by Alex M and Archie. A great and theatrical finish by Archie that even the professionals would have been proud of!

We then allowed the Droitwich side to run through us and reduce the lead to 1.

However, some great play between Ben (excellent run), then Alex M with a run and great lay off to Archie and his sonic legs led to another score for Sutton. 3-1.

The scores continued to toggle between the two sides through to half time - some lovely passing play between Ruben, Kyle and Henry led to another score for us. Additionally, we showed some great resilience and support, tackling as team to drive Droitwich back, with bravery from Ben leading to both a fantastic tackle and a minor injury to Ben's arm - this didn't stop him for long and he was soon back up and in the fray.

Half time score - 4-3 Sutton and finely poised......

2nd half
We picked up our play in the second half and both tackled better as a team - with Alex D, Henry, Ruben, Kyle and Ben working together well in a number of instances to close down the Droitwich attack, pressuring them into mistakes.

Running from Archie and Alex M continued to be problematic for the Droitwich defence leading to a number of tries for Sutton. The whole team pulled together really well to make the 2nd half a comfortable win with the match ending on 8-5.

A solid victory - the boys played great, we have more to give and played within ourselves to nevertheless secure a victory against a strong, committed and well organised Droitwich side.