Sutton & Epsom RFC An amateur community rugby club

Latest Match Report

Sutton Suffer Cornish Calamity
Redruth 49-12 Sutton & Epsom
The Black & Whites made the longest trip of their campaign to play the famous Redruth club. A combination of injuries and unavailability led to a changed line up and an opportunity for some to secure a regular place in the squad. The hosts secured a comfortable win with seven goals and collected the bonus point as Sutton departed with small consolation in a 49-12 defeat.

On an overcast afternoon, but mercifully without rain, Redruth kicked off playing towards the famous Hellfire Corner. Following the initial sparring scrum half Jack Oulton made the incisive break with number eight Ed Pascoe on hand to stride home. Fraser Honey added the extras for the perfect start of 7-0 with barely two minutes elapsed. Sutton came right back as Holt, Drye and Riley combined to good effect until the loose ball was re-gathered. This was to become the theme of the afternoon as S&E’s best play was undermined by errors that were ruthlessly punished. Jack Oulton angled a kick into the corner forcing Sutton to concede a line out on their line. Despite initial resolute defence a penalty was conceded. The ball was spread wide for on loan Pirate Harry Davey to score. Fraser Honey converted for 14-0. With a sense of déjà vu S&E countered via Matt Whitaker and Sam Riley who carried to good effect as Daley Aremu added a couple of enterprising runs. There followed a self-inflicted wound of the fatal variety. A Sutton line out, on the Redruth 22, was taken by Todd Prisk who marauded 40 metres down the paddock. The ball was then transferred wide for Harry Davey to finish in style. The erstwhile Plymouth Albion 10 converted with ease for 21-0 on the quarter hour mark.

Five minutes later the Cornishmen were close to securing the bonus point for their fourth try. The assistant referee intervened to adjudicate that Kyren Ghumra had intentionally knocked on to prevent the ball reaching the intended recipient. The winger was removed for the statutory ten minutes. It was only a temporary respite when moments later the Redruth pack forced the ball over with Jamie Prisk emerging from the melee as the tryscorer. The trusty boot of Fraser Honey made the score 28-0. Soon afterwards the Surrey men came to life from a line out on the host’s 22. Sam Riley made the first break to earn a 5-metre penalty. George Drye took the quick tap penalty and was soon celebrating his try. In the absence of James Bourton, Luke Mason took over the kicking duties, and he nonchalantly converted for the visitors to trail 7-28.

For the remainder of the first half Sutton & Epsom strove to gain a foothold and enjoyed their best period of play. A wonderful break by Matt Whitaker, supported by Sam Riley and the excellent Joe Ridgley provided the platform for the backs. The ball went wide and Luke Mason scythed through the defences before being halted a metre short. Todd Prisk was issued a yellow card and received a stopover in Gehenna. The Sutton forwards inched towards the line. But their Redruth counterparts defended splendidly. The visitors were awarded a penalty and opted to scrummage in front of the uprights. Disappointingly they were penalised at the scrum and all their fine work was undone. Shortly after the referee called time and the teams changed around with Redruth 28-7 to the good.

From the re-start the Black & Whites were on the front foot. The industrious Joe Ridgley made a break and the opposition were grateful to juggle an interception deep in their 22 to prevent a possible score and counter with interest. There followed a penalty that was kicked into the Sutton 22. From the ensuing line out the catch and drive created a score for the hooker Richard Brown. The metronomic Fraser Honey extended the lead to 35-7. Within ten minutes Jamie Prisk had garnered his second, and his side’s sixth, try of the afternoon. Following a series of powerful and penetrating carries from close range the lock was on hand to provide the coup de grace. The faultless footwork of Fraser Honey made the score 42-7. With 25 minutes left in the contest the Cornish club introduced more fresh legs and there was the threat of a cricket score if Sutton did not demonstrate considerable resolve. To their credit S&E redoubled their efforts with replacements Gareth O’Brien and Tom Webster, both making their debuts, contributing to the cause.

Indeed, the only additional score for the sizeable Recreation Ground crowd to enjoy came from a moment of individual brilliance from replacement nine Alistair Stacey at the start of the final quarter. Fraser Honey completed his 100% success rate with a seventh conversion. The next incident of note brought back memories of Graham Poll at the FIFA World Cup as the arbiter of the game had a moment of confusion whilst flourishing his cards. The man in charge, Alan Chandrachud, showed a yellow card to Jamie Prisk to complete an unwanted family double. Then to the amazement of the second row no sooner had the yellow card been returned to the referee’s pocket then the hand was seen waving a red version in front of his bemused eyes. The official had mistaken him for his brother and fellow lock who had earlier incurred his wrath. A quiet word from, among others, the Sutton skipper saw the red version hastily returned from whence it came. For those of you unfamiliar with the brothers Prisk they are not identical twins.

Meanwhile, returning to the mundane and more conventional aspects of the game the men from Surrey continued to frustrate every effort of the hosts to inflict more scoreboard punishment. In fact, as the game approached full time the Rugby Lane team scored their second try. The line out ball was secured and Joe Ridgley spotted a gap to sneak over. No player in Black & White was more deserving of the score than the flanker who had been tireless in defence and attack throughout the match. Buoyed by this success the visitors ran the ball back from behind their own posts to break to halfway. They were denied a memorable finale by another error. The game petered out with no further addition to the scores as Redruth were good value for their 49-12 victory.

For Sutton & Epsom a trip to Redruth was never going to be easy. However, the number of points conceded as a result of their own errors was alarming. They demonstrated on several occasions that they could put Redruth under pressure. Though they must put a greater value on possession and reduce the unforced turnovers that blighted their performance. In addition, the line out continues to be an area of concern. Joe Ridgley in his first outing of the season played as well as he ever has. Sam Riley making his first start made many impressive carries and was at the heart of most of Sutton’s most promising passages of play. For Redruth Jack Oulton was the catalyst for their lightning quick start that saw them race to 28-0 lead. Though with his brace of tries Jamie Prisk was made Man of the Match.

Finally, it would be a serious failing in this report not to mention the splendid hospitality provided by one and all at Redruth RFC. When the fixtures were released many a Sutton supporter pencilled in this fixture for a weekend away. The faithful regulars were joined by the magnificent Magpies, under the care of local expert Steve Sparrow, and the Tadworth CC branch of the Black & White Supporters Club. They were rewarded by a wonderful atmosphere from 560 spectators. Following the final whistle the convivial surroundings of the bar would be hard to surpass in any clubhouse in the land. S&E return to the West Country next Saturday 23rd November for a vital clash with Old Redcliffians.

Sutton & Epsom: Luke Mason, Kyren Ghumra, Aaron Phillip, Jamie See, Daley Aremu, Jacob Knight, Ben Holt, Raynn Bruce, Sam Riley, Theo Skoumbourdis, Matt Harwood, Eric Duey, George Drye (capt), Joe Ridgley & Matt Whitaker. Replacements: (all used) Alex Mount, David Coutts, Chris Farrell, Gareth O’Brien, Tom Webster.

 

 

1st XV

National 2 South

View the League Table