Sutton Coldfield 7 Vs 15 Stafford
Remberance Sunday is a time to remember and after a perfect silence in the Sunday afternoon sunshine at Sutton, the match kicked off and will be one we certainly won’t forget in a hurry.
At the kick off Stafford were straight into the game as Judes high kick was gathered by Finn H and the colts forward pack began smashing their way into their opposite numbers. It wasn’t long until Sutton conceeded a penalty, unfortunately it was just out of Ellis’s range but the intent and game was up and running.
It was Sutton’s turn to get into the game, but some good sliding defence and a fine tackle by Finn H meant Stafford turned over the ball and the forwards started to carry once again. This time Sutton were able to clear and Freddie was on hand at fullback to clear the lines.
The game was end to end with both defences solid and giving nothing away. Although 20 minutes had gone, it was an intriguing game of punch and counter punch that you couldn’t help but get enthralled in. Unfortunately, an injury to Mason (who was as always, a menace at the breakdown),meant that the front row would have to go the distance, however the Stafford scrum, led by Ashton was causing Sutton some real problems, regularly getting a shove on.
Sutton may have had the territory but Stafford were stepping up when it was needed, Jake was being a persistent nuisance, knocking back wannabe attackers and then alongside Ethan started a move from within their own 22 which provided space for Finn and Morgan to make great ground, only for a cover tackle to prevent a Stafford try.
The ball was soon going back the other way, this time Freddie made a great cover tackle but the hint of momentum was all that was needed for the home team to take the lead, (0-7) which would be followed by the half time whistle.
The half time subs would come in with the task of maintaining the energy and try to get in behind the line, but it was Sutton who started on the front foot, however Staffords defence started where it had left off. This time they turned the ball over and Connor made an instant impact sitting down his opposite number. From the recycle, Jolame kept the go forward and a penalty gave Stafford great field position. This time it was Sutton who propelled carries from Ethan, Kayden and Jonah.
Sutton continued the end to end nature of the game and Staffords defence was stretched to the point that the defensive collective, held up the ball over the line, the goal restart was passed down the line and Stafford tried to get the ball into space. The tactic worked and the up rushing defence was strong and a penalty was conceeded. Freddie seeing space, tapped and went and Ethan in support carried the forward momentum, the ball was recycled, and the backs moved the ball wide to Jolame whose deep run caused the defence to conceed a penalty that was nudged into the corner. A further penalty was tapped and Kayden went on the hunt, fending off 3 or 4 players before smashing over the line (7-5 missed conv HW).
The Colts were on the up and it just needed them to continue the push. Farai took the kick off clean and took the ball on before popping it off to the on rushing Connor who again sat a player down and Ethan quickly recycled the ball. The retreating line was extremely flat, Harry and Jude saw the space with the 10 kicking through to space and the on rushing 13 took the bouncing ball clean and went in to extend the lead. (7-12 HW conv).
Although now down on the score board, Sutton were not collapsing or going away. Ethan and Jake made some big hits and when the ball went wide, Leon covered it from the opposite wing to snuff out the danger.
As Stafford conceeded a penalty, their defence in Oli and Ed Austin were there along with Jude to make sure that Stafford would keep the home team at bay. Eventually Connor would manage to clear but both the forwards and backs would have to continue the great defence with Harry and Danail leading the way.
Eventually Stafford would manage to turn the ball over, this time the ball would get moved up the field by Ethan, Leon, Oli and Morgan. It was great to see the forwards and backs combining with good hands to keep the ball alive and manage possession. They would get their reward with a penalty just outside the opposition 22. The debate of whether to go for goal or go to the corner was eventually concluded and Harry W nudged over the 3pts to extend the difference to 8 (7-15).
It just needed some game management at the restart and the colts stepped up. Jake would take the kick clean and Oli, Connor and Morgan continued the powerful carries. The ball although turned over was back in the Sutton half and Finn C and Finn H would put the hits in to keep the ball deep in the opposition half.
As the clocked ticked over, Jude and Harry would put in the last two tackles and as the ball was kicked over the top, the Stafford team would nudge the ball out safely to get a well deserved team win.
This was the team performance that had been brewing for a while, full of hard work commitment and trust. This is the level that we know this team can play at, they just need to continue the hard work and trust not only in themselves but the player next to them in the gold and black.