***SUTTON COLDFIELD RFC LADIES MATCH REPORT 15th March***

Photo - Happy team pic scenes after the win over Rugby Lionesses.

WOMEN’S NC1 WEST

RUGBY LIONESSES 0-29 SUTTON COLDFIELD LADIES 1ST XV

Recently crowned league champions Sutton Coldfield Ladies completed their league programme unbeaten with a 29-0 bonus point win at Webb Ellis Road on Sunday thanks to 5 unanswered try’s and 2 conversions and in doing so guaranteed themselves a home ‘Championship 2’ play off final at The Roger Smoldon Ground, a fortress where they have never been beaten in a competitive game in the last 3 seasons since the Women’s team entered the RFU leagues.

Sutton’s plans were disrupted prior to kick off with illness forcing Jo Hart and Carla Malek to pull out and then in the warm-up full back Alison Livermore suffered a quad injury that ruled her out also.

On the plus side Neve Tydeman unexpectedly showed up to support having only returned at short notice from her employment in the Austrian Alps the night before and was more than happy to jump on the bench.

On a pitch heavy from morning downpours, Sutton started off on the front foot and for the opening quarter played some scintillating rugby scoring 4 try’s that effectively put the game to bed as a contest.

Alison Livermore’s late withdrawal presented Kerrie-Anne Melsom the chance to show what she could do at full back and it didn’t take long as she gathered a pressurised clearance kick by Lionesses after just 4 minutes before setting off down the left touchline to register her 7th try of the season.

Two minutes later hardworking loose head prop Vicky Sullivan ran a great supporting line in the red zone leading to her 5th try of the campaign, Melsom knocked over the conversion and the lead was 12-0.

On 11 minutes right wing Jada Bailey got in on the act when she was found in space close to the touchline on half way, moments later, after checking infield, she was under the posts with despairing Lionesses defenders unable to lay a glove on her; fly half Maria Crowfoot converted pushing the lead out to 19-0.

With Sutton continuing to dominate Amy Rollins was introduced as a replacement for a breathless Emma Clueit and slotted seamlessly into the 2nd row.

Great work after 16 minutes by inside centre Katie Gregory and captain Charlie Byrne then led to Bailey being found in space and with the after-burners turned up the former Worcester Warriors flyer was able to coast in for her 2nd try in the space of 5 minutes with the lead extended to 24-0.

Having dominated both possession and territory in the first quarter Sutton found the boot on the other foot for the second quarter and it took a determined defensive effort to keep their line intact. It was during these closing stages of the first half that the Sutton girls really stood up to be counted to frustrate their hosts in their efforts to get the score they craved. Charley Hope paid a big price for her heroics and had to leave the field after taking a heavy knock allowing a refreshed Clueit the chance to return to the fray.

With score at the break 24-0 Neve Tydeman came on in the front row for Kelsi Butler who’d again put in a strong showing after her recent move from Richmond Ladies and will undoubtedly be an asset to the Sutton squad.

In contrast to the closing stages of the first half the 2nd half was spent entirely where Sutton wanted, in the Lionesses half, however, what promised so much early on in the contest turned into a real scrappy affair littered with mistakes from both sides leading to numerous reset scrums which prevented much flow to proceedings.

Sutton’s lineout worked wonderfully all afternoon with hooker Candice Grayson having the ball on a piece of string for Roisin McBrien who ruled the airways throughout providing plenty of ball for North Midlands scrum half Christine McEvoy who produced a controlled display that was to later earn her the ‘forward of the match’ nomination.

Lionesses just couldn’t gain any territory and kept getting knocked back with McBrien, Grayson, Gregory, Charlie George, Liz Fletcher, Connie Bradshaw and ‘forward of the match’ Vicky Sullivan all to the fore as the heat was turned up.

The bonus point try Sutton needed finally arrived in the 65th minute when Jada Bailey cut in from the right touchline to claim her 3rd try of the afternoon and 18th of a fabulous season to date, this was the 3rd time this season Bailey has scored 3 or more try’s in a 1st XV game.

With the game won Bailey took her leave, as did playmaker Maria Crowfoot, Emma Clueit and Liz Fletcher allowing some game time for Natalie Kennett, Chanelle Stankard and Alex Webster as well as a little runout for Holly Wheeldon beginning her journey back from a knee injury.

Great credit for a superb defensive effort in the 2nd half must go to Lionesses who were relentless and prevented the runaway win that looked on the cards early doors.

With no more addition to the scoreboard the game ended 29-0 to Sutton who achieved everything they came for, namely the win and the try bonus point. The game wasn’t pretty by any means, apart from the opening quarter, but in many ways may be great preparation for the ‘play off’ where the final result is all that matters and defence will be ‘king’.

The Sutton players and coaches deserve all the praise that continues to be heaped on them, winning every league game for the last 3 seasons is no mean feat but there’s no denying success in the ‘play off’ is what will ultimately make the season.

Gerry Shanahan
Team Manager
Sutton Coldfield RFC Women