After a troubled first half of a league season plagued by injuries and errors, Sutton 1st XV hit the ground running in their first league game of 2020, with an impressive 52-8 victory over fellow strugglers Kidderminster to lift Sutton to the top of the three team relegation zone, heading in the right direction for salvation with 11 games to play to the end of the season.

Once again the Sutton selection was dictated by injuries and availability but the strong Sutton squad yielded a competitive side, which rose to the occasion and produced a much needed winning result against a spirited Kidderminster side, who the week before Christmas had defeated Stourbridge Lions 38-27 to prove that Kidderminster have the winning ingredient when needed, so the challenge was on for Sutton, with survival in this league at stake and everything to play for.

On their home pitch in front of a supportive crowd, Sutton kicked off in dry conditions with bright winter sunshine streaming down the pitch into the faces of the Sutton players in the first half but the sun always seems to bring a sparkle to the Sutton play and within the first minute sharp play by Sutton led to a try under the Kidderminster posts for Sutton fly half Ben Morgan, which he converted himself to give Sutton a 7-0 lead after a dramatic start to their first game of the new year.

This opening try came following a high energy start by Sutton, when they followed a perfectly flighted kick off into Kidderminster territory and skipper Dean Ginn led by example as he charged down an attempted clearance kick within the Kidderminster half. The ball went to ground in midfield and was hacked on by Sutton deep into the Kidderminster 22 closely pursued by Ben Morgan, who controlled the ball before grounding it under the posts giving Sutton the perfect start in a must win game for both clubs.

For the next 15 minutes the game ebbed and flowed with neither side dominant but Sutton appeared to be edging ahead in the engagements until newly restored fullback Miles Gregory had to leave the field due to a bout of sickness. The departure of the fullback saw Ollie Green move to fill the vacant fullback position, to be replaced at scrumhalf by Tom Harris, who by arrangement had arrived late to the game as he was on Police duty Saturday morning but he arrived in time to take his place on the bench. Mile Gregory, who has made a big impression on his return after months out due to injuries appeared to be a big loss to the team effort but the switch around in the backs seemed to inspire the team and Ollie Green rose to the occasion scoring two tries and having perhaps his best game of recent times in the unfamiliar role of fullback.

Unfortunately for Sutton, shortly after the changes to the backline, the Sutton pack was disrupted when prop Luke Hennessey, who was performing well in the front row against powerful opposition, had to retire with a back injury to be replaced by the redoubtable Jonah Falconer, who entered the fray from the bench and made a huge contribution to the winning format that saw Sutton go on to record a valuable victory.

After the changes Sutton stepped up their game and created an opportunity for right wing Zac Tyler, who broke free in his own 22 and raced 80 metres down his right touchline to cut infield and score an outstanding solo try under the posts giving fly half Ben Morgan an easy conversion and Sutton a deserved 14-0 lead after 24 minutes of play.

However, the spirited Kidderminster side fought back following the restart winning a penalty in the Sutton 22 and fly half Andy McLellan claimed the 3 points to close to 14-3 on 28 minutes and then on 36 minutes Kidderminster gave their travelling support hope when hooker Dave Kane was driven over the Sutton try line after a catch and drive following a 5 metre attacking lineout from a penalty, which was kicked to the right corner.

The conversion was missed but Sutton closed the first half in style when scrum half Tom Harris raced over for a fine try after no8 Jack Ward made the initial break powerfully carrying the ball to the try line to set up a ruck from which the wily Tom Harris picked up and raced over.

The difficult conversion was missed but Sutton were playing well and they carried a 19-8 lead into the second half, which they started with renewed energy and confidence and their efforts were rewarded immediately when left wing speedster George Creed found space on his left wing and the flying youngster sped past a number of would be defenders on a 50 metre run to the line cutting infield to score a superb try under the posts securing Sutton a 4 try bonus point. Ben Morgan added the conversion to extend Sutton's lead to 26-8 but then powerhouse Jack Ward made another telling break on a 30 metre run from just outside the visitors 22 but this time he was not going to be denied and the no8 raced in under the posts giving Ben Morgan another easy conversion and Sutton a 33-8 lead with just 4 minutes of the second half played.

Again although stunned Kidderminster fought back for the next 20 minutes but they could not prevent fullback Ollie Green racing in for a try after Sutton charged down field with great interplay to take play deep into the visitors 22 moving left to right before recycling the ball to send the fullback into the right corner on 25 minutes for the first of his two tries.

The wide conversion was missed so the game resumed at 38-8 to Sutton but within 7 minutes the resurgent fullback went in for his second try of the day when no8 Jack Ward made a powerful break from a 5 metre scrum close to the visitors posts but as the quick thinking no8 was brought down just short of the line he executed a perfect flick pass into the hands of the supporting Ollie Green, who raced over the line for a try to the right of the posts.

Ben Morgan added the conversion to stretch Sutton's lead to 45-8 with 8 minutes of play remaining, which proved time enough for Sutton to score a final try through left wing George Creed, who completed his brace of tries on the day with another superb display of pace and finishing skill as the ball was worked into space on the left wing and the illusive runner beat the defenders to score under the posts. Ben Morgan added the final conversion to complete the scorecard with 8 tries and 6 conversions to Sutton, who restricted their erstwhile opponents to a penalty and a single try in a 52-8 bonus point victory for the home side.

Looking to the future and key to rebuilding the strength of their first team squad for the remaining league games, Sutton were pleased to register that the convincing victory by the Sutton second team on the adjacent pitch heralded the return to fitness of key players like backs Paul Spiby, Liam White and Joel James, who have been out with long term injuries and their return to playing duties can only boost the strength of the squad and the moral of the players.

In celebrating the Sutton victory, sympathetic thoughts must go out to Kidderminster, who are struggling at the bottom of the league table and it must seem that everything is going against them in a luckless season following their promotion at the end of last season but respect must be given to the spirited team, who continued to compete for the full 80 minutes and we wish them better fortune for the remainder of the season.

For the Sutton side however, buoyed by an excellent victory, having shown what they can do when things go right, now they have to regroup and prepare for another challenging contest at the other end of the table on Friday night 10th Jan, when they travel to old rivals and close neighbours Lichfield RFC, who currently occupy second place in the league, for their evening fixture. KO 7.30pm.

Match summary report - 4th Jan 2020

Sutton 2nd XV 40pts v Silhillians 2nd XV 7pts

Friendly Pool Fixture

Last Saturday, in spite of the call-ups to the 1st XV the Sutton second string fielded a strong team, who proved much to strong for visitors Silhillians RUFC in a 40-7 victory, including 6 tries and 5 conversions, whilst restricting their opponents to a single converted try in the second half.

The game saw a number of key players returning to action after long term injuries including backs Paul Spiby, Liam White and Joel James, who kicked 5 out of 6 conversions, playing alongside seasoned and new players; all very encouraging for Sutton as they look to rebuild their playing strength as the second half of the season gets underway.

The Sutton try scoring honours were evenly shared, with Jake Evans, Charlie Steventen, Liam White, Sam Harris Ben Garratty and Tom Odey each contributing a try apiece with Joel James kicking 5 conversions.

The Sillhillians consolation try was scored by Richard McKenna and converted by Harry Law.