SCRFC Ladies Match report - 5th March 2022

Match report courtesy of Ladies Head Coach George Ord

Match report - 5th March 2022

Bury Foxes 5pts v Sutton Ladies 8pts

National League Ladies Championship 2 Midlands
Sutton travelled to Suffolk on Saturday to play Bury St Edmunds for the third time in the club's history. Having lost a promotion playoff in 2018-19 15-12, and beaten Bury Foxes at Walmley Road 33-20 earlier this season, it was always going to be a hard-fought contest.

On a stodgy pitch, Sutton kicked off and, despite relentless pressure in the 22, Bury managed to hold out during the initial stages. The conditions made free-flowing rugby a challenge, and favoured Bury's physical style of play, as they worked their way up the pitch. A last ditch tackle from Neve Tydeman, and turnover from Candice Grayson relieved the pressure on the Sutton line. The pendulum then swung in Sutton's favour as play returned to the Bury half, and with half time approaching, Bury received a red card for a stray boot in the tackle area. Captain Katie Gregory sagely pointed at the posts, and Fly Half Alison Livermore notched the first points of a hugely competitive match, making the score 0-3 at half time.

The second half was played in much the same style and fashion, but Sutton looked to up the tempo through quick tap penalties. Back of the Match Milly Wixted was central to this heightened pace at Scrum Half. Bury struggled to contain this pressure, and Hooker-turned-Centre Holly Wheeldon capitalised with a thoroughly deserved try to stretch Sutton's lead to 0-8.

Sutton needed this breathing space, however, as Bury were carrying strongly and offloading well. After a string of defensive penalties in the Sutton 22, the defence creaked and Bury scored in the corner in the 78th minute to make the score 5-8, and ensure a very nervous finish!

Bury threw everything at Sutton, aided by yet more penalties to give them additional chances. Bury moved the ball from touchline to touchline, and resolute Sutton defence held them out, until Forward of the Match (even though she was playing in the backs) Holly Wheeldon won the decisive turnover penalty to win the match.

Elated scenes at the final whistle as Sutton scraped through a hugely challenging contest. The win all but guarantees Sutton finishing 2nd in the league in their first season in Championship 2. Next week, Sutton travel to local rivals Lichfield in what will be another stern test.