Sutton & Epsom RFC An amateur community rugby club

Latest Match Report

Lennie’s Losing Hat Trick on Drybrook’s Day
Drybrook 36-27 Sutton & Epsom
On Saturday Dings Crusaders RFC hosted a veritable feast of four finals. A large and enthusiastic crowd were bathed in unbroken sunshine. It all started with the amuse-bouche of Ashley Down Old Boys downing the colours of Hastings & Bexhill to the tune of 34-20. There followed the hors d’oeuvres as Cheltenham North overcame Honiton 38-32. The penultimate plate served up a thrilling 28-24 win for Ealing Trailfinders over Old Bristolians. The afternoon culminated with a main course of the Papa Johns Regional 2 South Plate Final as Sutton & Epsom took on Drybrook. The latter last year lost this fixture 42-29 to Reed’s Weybridge. However, 2024-5 has been a season of unbridled success for the Green Army. Champions of Regional 2 Tribute Severn League, winners of the Forest of Dean Combination Senior Cup with a 37-27 triumph over Cinderford they now completed a trophy treble by vanquishing Sutton by 36-27.

Freddy Bunting initiated proceedings and the Squirrels dominated the early exchanges. A penalty was advanced to the 22. Having secured possession from their throw Drybrook cut through the defence but lost the ball near the line. The Mannings Ground followers had the consolation that the referee brought play back for an earlier infringement. Fullback Haydn Lewis stepped up to give Drybrook a 3-0 lead. Sutton’s start was further hampered by a cut to Ewan McTaggart’s eye that temporarily forced off the gargantuan lock to be bandaged up. The first shoots of recovery came from a searing break by Tom Lennard that advanced the Rugby Lane men towards the enemy 22. It was the turn of the Surrey side to be awarded a penalty that was drilled into the corner. McTaggart returned to the fray, the ball was won and hooker Sam Lennie crossed the whitewash for first time that afternoon. Captain Bunting added the extras for a 7-3 lead for Sutton.

Invigorated by taking the lead Josh Rea made a fabulous break that led to another penalty on the 22. This time the doughty Drybrook defence held firm. The game flowed from one end to the other. On the half hour the Black & Whites were not only awarded a penalty on the opposition 22 but the Gloucestershire outfit were also reduced to 14 as second row Jack Moss received a yellow card. S&E again went in search for the higher points tariff. This time they were rewarded as Sam Lennie forced his way over for his second try. Though the conversion drifted wide the Sutton supporters were soon on their feet to herald another try. The second row double act of McTaggart & Glanville secured the restart and carried the ball onwards. The ball was released for the backs and Adam Bibby jinked and swerved his way forty metres to score a stunning solo effort. Normal service resumed for the Bunting boot as Sutton led 19-3.

As has been so often been the case in this annus mirabilis for Drybrook it was their talismanic captain Mitchell Bourne who provided inspiration and vital points. The Green Army demonstrated that they were equally adroit with the catch and drive as Captain Bourne powered his way over the line. The highly proficient Haydn Lewis added the conversion from the flank to reduce the margin to 10-19. As the game entered time added on in the first period Drybrook were returned to their full complement. The first half concluded with Sutton being awarded a penalty near halfway. Appreciative of the clock and the scoreboard Freddy Bunting knocked over the long-range kick to make the score Sutton 22 Drybrook 10 at the interval.

No doubt both sets of coaches highlighted the importance of the first score in the second half. The crowd did not have long to wait and a searing 40-metre break by the West Country centre Mitchell Baldwin had the Black & Whites scrambling in defence. Flanker Bailey Watts applied the coupe de grace that was followed swiftly by another Lewis conversion. With only five minutes played in the second period Drybrook trailed by five points as S&E led 22-17. The match momentum was careering in the Westerly direction as scrum half Cai Rogers made a stunning break. Things did not improve for Sutton as Ewan McTaggart was given a yellow card for high contact. With a degree of symmetry, like their opponents, the Squirrels took full and swift advantage of their numerical superiority. Two tries followed in five frantic minutes. A delightful long pass opened up the defence for Cai Roberts to level the match at 22-22. The disappointment over the missed conversion was soon compensated. Centre Mitchell Baldwin glided through for their fourth try. Haydn Lewis extended the advantage to 29-22.

In a striking parallel to the first half, following the quickfire double, it was the trailing team that struck next. McTaggart’s timely return coincided with another Sutton attacking line out. Hooker Sam Lennie completed his hat trick. Though the Bunting conversion failed to bisect the uprights to level the score the contest was in the balance with Drybrook leading 29-27. Within five minutes the pendulum had swung back in favour of the Gloucestershire side. Adam Bibby was stood up by his opposite number and the referee adjudged the contact to be worthy of a yellow card which meant the influential centre would only return, if at all, in time added on. However, the next opportunity fell to S&E as they were awarded a penalty 45 metres from glory. The Bunting boot narrowly failed to edge Sutton ahead.

Drybrook came agonisingly close to scoring when a very intelligent kick exposed a lack of Sutton cover. The men in green seemed clear favourites to win the foot race but the additional kick ahead favoured the defenders. After a consultation with the touch judge the referee indicated the Black & Whites had survived. It was a temporary stay of execution as the Squirrels took advantage of the extra man as the jubilant replacement Ioan Jones strode home for the crucial score. The nerveless Haydn Lewis converted to give his team a two-score cushion at 36-27. S&E desperately tried to salvage the match from the dying embers but soon after the referee blew the final whistle that initiated the Drybrook celebrations.

Though Sutton came up short in the final it should not diminish what has been an excellent season that has seen the 1st XV on a definite upward trajectory. Drybrook were worthy winners and in a season of multiple triumphs this was a splendid conclusion to the campaign as the local carpenter will be on call to extend their trophy cabinet.

Sutton & Epsom:
Scott, Ghumra, Bibby, Bunting ©, Huie, Lennard, Findlay E, Johnson, Lennie, Boaden, Glanville, McTaggart, Rea, Jones & Hegarty. Replacements: Hilton, Madadangoma, Duey, Tame, Davies, Nelson & Symonds.

Drybrook:
Lewis, Chappell, Price, Baldwin, Roberts, Morgan B, Rogers, Jelf, Addis, Morgan L, Moss, Watkins, Watts, Peaper & Bourne ©. Replacements: Hale, Morgan C, Greenway W, Rowley, Tinker, Greenway R & Jones.

 

 

Mens 1st XV

Regional 2 South East: view league table