Sutton & Epsom RFC An amateur community rugby club

Latest Match Report

Canterbury Hit For Six
Sutton & Epsom 36-17 Canterbury II
Not since the 2016-7 season has Sutton & Epsom faced the possibility of relegation on the final match of the league season. On that sunny afternoon, despite a horrific start, they won 45-24 following a forceful team talk from lock Mike Blakeburn. There was a caveat this time with a ‘Get Out of Jail Free Card’ in the form of the hideous prospect of hosting Dartfordians next Saturday in the inaugural relegation play-off. The arithmetic meant Sutton still required either a point or Canterbury to fail to achieve a bonus point win. In a season of tense finishes the Rugby Lane faithful were spared excessive anxiety when they scored their fourth try after a dozen minutes of the second half on their way to an impressive 36-17 triumph that secured their status in Regional 2 South East.

The Black & Whites resources were stretched, especially with regards to their back division, as tightly as centre Lawrence Elliott’s hamstring. In the warm up the centre pulled up lame and Niall McCormack was elevated from the bench to add to the drama on a tense afternoon and to fuel the foreboding of the pessimists. It was a gloriously sunny afternoon but with a capricious wind that was to be an irritant in the first period. Freddy Bunting initiated proceedings on this crucial high stakes afternoon for both clubs. The hosts made a fluent start showing no signs of being inhibited by the occasion and the Canterbury defence was a match for their early sorties.

On five minutes a long-range straight penalty was declined by S&E, as has been their method this campaign, and the ball was sent to the 22. The lineout was lost but Sutton’s pack prevailed at the first scrum despite the Pilgrims put in. Adam Bibby made the first telling break and the ball was spun wide. Number 8 Ben Green coming from depth with pace, power and the perfect line scythed through to run in untouched from 30 metres. Freddy Bunting added the easy conversion for 7-0 after 10 minutes. Invigorated by the early score the Black & Whites dominated play for the next 15 minutes. Unfortunately, the visitors lost flanker Stan Bull to injury as the resolute Canterbury defence took on a heroic status. Jamie Flatley was stopped in the corner, the forwards took over and it ended with Sam Lennie losing the ball as he stretched for the line.

Then the Pilgrims got a foothold in the match but suffered a second departure as Archie English was forced from the game with an ankle injury. It was another disappointing Saturday for the winger in his injury-plagued season. It was now Sutton’s turn to demonstrate their defensive steel. However, all their good work was undone when they conceded a penalty. With brutal efficiency the Kent side opened their account through a perfectly executed catch and drive that ushered hooker Sam Rogers over the line for a try. William Hilton’s conversion failed as Canterbury trailed 5-7.

The first period was prolonged by the couple of lengthy injury breaks that led to departures. Deep into time added on Canterbury gave themselves the opportunity to edge ahead before the break. On the balance of the game that would have been harsh on the hosts but it would not have been the first time this campaign that the Rugby Lane crowd had seen the Black & Whites not gain sufficient reward for their dominance of territory and possession against a resilient and disciplined defence. A costly penalty had the visitors in prime position but a tenacious turnover earned Sutton’s salvation.

The first period concluded with S&E leading 7-5 and they had demonstrated the character, commitment and composure that their supporters desired in such a pivotal encounter. There was the disturbing feeling for ardent followers of the men in Black & White that they had seen this film before and the second reel had been a video nasty including unsavoury inept elements culminating in the opposition winning by a margin. However, the story so far had been one of discipline, determination and dynamism that the home crowd hoped would carry them to victory.

Sutton & Epsom had the perfect start to the second half. With supporters barely back in their seats and many still refuelling in the pitch-side bar Sutton scored their second try. A Canterbury clearance was charged down and Euan Findlay was the beneficiary as he ran in the try. After all the fine rugby that had gone before S&E were delighted to accept this scrappy morsel. The conversion from the flank failed but the home team had extended their advantage to 12-5. Moments later the crowd were ecstatic as the Surrey men added a third try. This was a stunning solo effort from flanker Josh Rea. The New Zealander has had an excellent season becoming more influential by the week. This was certainly his highlight of the campaign as he ran in from halfway with the forlorn cover unable to prevent him touching down in the corner. Captain Bunting gloriously converted from the touchline for a 19-5 lead.

In the reverse fixture Sutton had stormed into an early 21-0 lead only to be overhauled. However, this version of Sutton rugby looked unlikely to let their advantage slip with the additional incentive that one more try would equate to safety. Bunting kicked intelligently to force Canterbury into their 22. S&E reshuffled their backs as Jordan Huie departed and Euan Findlay went to the wing and Joe Lovatt came off the bench to 9. A dominant catch and drive had the Pilgrims on the retreat. This was followed by a scrum penalty to the Sutton forwards who now had the upper hand over their opposing pack. Freddy Bunting sent the ball into the corner. The lineout ball was secured and the crowd held their collective breath. The forwards rumbled onwards, Joe Lovatt did superbly well to get to the brink and Josh Pulvirenti was on hand for the joyous moment. Not since Stefan Cooksammy scored the fourth try against Bedford Athletic that guaranteed the title in 2018-9 had a bonus point try been greeted with such joy, relief and noise. Freddy Bunting added the extras for 26-5.

With their future secure and Canterbury knowing their season had one more week to go the final half hour might have petered out with both sides going through the motions. Fortunately, Sutton were hungry for more tries to end the season with a thumping win and the Kent side were desperate to turn the tide that had swept them away at the start of the second half. The Pilgrims showed not only their character but also their attacking quality. The robust running of centre Aiden Moss created the opening as a scrambling defence stopped a try in the corner but the ball was transferred inside for a score. The conversion failed as Canterbury trailed 10-26 as the game entered the final quarter.

From the restart Ewan McTaggart was forced to leave the field as his shoulder gave out following another thunderous tackle. Sutton were in no mood to squander their hard-earned advantage. Jamie Flatley, who had an impressive afternoon, dropped a pass but recovered the ball to initiate an attack. Lock Josh Glanville strode through the defence, passed to Kyren Ghumra who returned the compliment to enable the second row to score with a flourish. The margin had stretched to three scores as the scoreboard read 31-10. A couple of minutes later it was the visitors who were crossing the whitewash. Number 9 Owen Hewett was getting the reward for his industrious endeavours with a try. William Hilton converted with the Black & Whites 31-17 ahead. It felt more like a consolation than the start of a startling comeback.

Perhaps the frustration of their failure started to weigh on the Canterbury shoulders as the denouement of the game included a number of unpleasant incidents. The Pilgrims were fortunate to have a referee that was sympathetic to their circumstances. Firstly, Kyren Ghumra was hauled into touch by his collar but no card was issued. The disbelieving crowd were cheered up moments later when replacement prop Richard Madadangoma rampaged 30 metres down the middle of the park. Shortly afterwards Sutton scored their sixth and final try. The familiar sight in modern rugby of a catch and drive from a lineout and the hooker emerging from the masses with the cherubic smile of triumph. It was Sam Lennie’s 20th try of a most productive season. The conversion drifted wide as Sutton led 36-17 with the referee stating there was six minutes remaining.

Soon after the restart Canterbury lost a player to a yellow card that might easily have been a red as it was issued for a head butt. The Pilgrims pressed hard for the consolation of an otiose bonus point with a stunning break by fly-half William Hilton. Tempers overflowed but no additional cards were issued. The game concluded with no further addition to the score. The Sutton players had emerged from the pressure of a match with extreme jeopardy with a handsome win that was thoroughly deserved. Canterbury were left to lick their wounds and lift their spirits for one final hurdle as they host the relegation play-off against Dartfordians.

In years to come the casual observer might come across the Regional 2 South East table for the 2025-6 season and note Sutton & Epsom finished 7th with 58 points. It would appear to be a nondescript campaign ending in mid-table obscurity but how wrong that impression would be. A season that started with such optimism that saw S&E on top of the league after a win at the Rectory Field over Gravesend in Round 6 concluded with a desperate fight for survival. The Black & Whites had neither been in the bottom three nor ever headed by Canterbury but defeat in this fixture would have put them one defeat from Level 7. To put that into context, in their entire league history they had only played one season in Level 7, in 2012-3, following a season when they had lost all 26 league matches.

Happily for followers of Sutton the result was as splendid as the weather as they put in a formidable performance considering the circumstances. There was a steely determination and improved game management that was a credit to every player on the pitch from 1 to 18. The players have earned their summer break and will return to league action in September. For Canterbury, Dartfordians, Gravesend and Old Colfeians their status in this most competitive league is dependent on the continuing drama of this season that is extended with multiple play-offs.

Sutton & Epsom:
Flatley, Ghumra, Bibby, McCormack, Huie, Bunting ©, Findlay, Lennie, Howes, Boaden, McTaggart, Glanville, Pulvirenti, Rea & Green. Res: Madadangoma, Duey & Lovatt.

Canterbury II:
Collins, Jones, Moss, Constant, English, Hilton, Hewett, Oliver, Rogers, Everatt, Nicholson, Mackenzie, Bull, Divine, McCormack. Reps: Smith, Gill & Fielder.

 

Mens 1st XV

Regional 2 South East: view league table