SCRFC Ladies - Match Report - 30th Jan 2022

George Ord
Sutton Ladies Head Coach

Match report - 30th Jan 2022

Birmingham Moseley Ladies 0pts v Sutton Ladies 31pts

National League Championship 2 Midlands

Sutton Ladies travelled to Moseley on Sunday 30th January, and it was a mismatch on paper; Sutton 2nd from top, and Moseley 2nd from bottom. In reality, Moseley's performance and resolve were very impressive, and it took everything from a battle-hardened Sutton to overcome them.

The first 20 minutes in particular were a feisty affair, with both sides getting opportunities to attack deep in opposition territory, and both sides defended with all their might to maintain the deadlock. Strong scrummaging from Moseley went unrewarded, and ferocious tackling and play at the breakdown gave Sutton a reliable source of possession. Momentum swung to and fro throughout the whole first half, and it wasn't until the stroke of half-time that back of the match Jo Hart broke through in midfield, and forced her way to the try line. It was a fortunate 0-5 lead that Sutton took into half time.

In the second half, with the wind behind them and the scrum much steadier, Sutton began to take control of the game. First, after breathless play down the left flank, Number 8 Candice Grayson powered over in the corner for her third try in as many matches. Then, after a similarly relentless attack, vice-captain Alison Livermore cut back against the defence to score under the posts. The conversion of her own try made the score 0-17, and Sutton finally had some breathing space. Moseley did still threaten in attack, and were perhaps unfortunate not to score out wide, as they relentlessly besieged the Sutton line just as they had in the first half. The resolute defence held out, however, and a quick blitz at the end of the match secured a bonus point for Sutton. First, Wing Jada Bailey put in a huge tackle in Moseley's 22, forcing a turnover, which Bailey then offloaded to forward of the match Sophie Benavent to score. An expert conversion from Livermore 5m in from touch was followed by Bailey scoring herself; returning a clearance kick to jink her way between defenders and score under the posts. The conversion made the final score 0-31 to Sutton Coldfield; a score that looked very unlikely at half time.

Truthfully, the score line flattered Sutton, who were under pressure for large parts of the match, and Moseley came close to scoring at least two tries. Moseley will surely rise up the league before the teams meet in the return fixture in late March. Next up for Sutton is 3rd place Hitchin at Walmley Road on Sunday 6th February, for the ladies' penultimate home game of the season.