Sutton & Epsom RFC An amateur community rugby club

Latest Match Report

Seventh Heaven for Colfeians
Old Colfeians 44-22 Sutton & Epsom
The fourth-placed Black & Whites opened their 2026 account at Horn Park playing Old Colfeians who were a solitary place below them in the league table. The Sutton season has been a tale of feast or famine with the ecstasy of winning the first four fixtures transmogrifying into the agony of a five-match losing streak. S&E had the consolation of collecting a host of bonus points in defeat in games that could have gone either way. The loyal supporters of Rugby Lane could reflect on the wise words of Hugh de Selincourt as they were left “imaginatively seeing life as it is from the standpoint of life as it so easily might be.” Whatever the team’s New Year resolutions might have been it did not result in success on the pitch as Old Colfeians comfortably swept Sutton aside scoring seven tries in a 44-22 triumph.

Last Saturday’s weather made one’s thoughts wander to Jack Frost, Good King Wenceslas and Ibsen plays. This week, this Sceptred Isle was being ravaged by Storm Goretti, whatever happened to Gilbert & George, so to have benign weather for the game was a blessing. The only hindrance was the water supply had been cut off in the locality but mercifully it returned in time for showering. There was an early sign of foreboding when Sutton’s pack went into reverse at the first scrum but it proved to be the exception rather than the rule. Colfeians opened the scoring as Ollie Burckett decided to take the easy three points from a penalty. Five minutes later, in a similar position, Freddy Bunting kicked to the corner. Ewan McTaggart collected the ball and Dan Jones carried it to open field and Sutton were met by sterling defence. Multiple phases later Tom Lennard kicked with precision to winger Kyren Ghumra who scored. The Bunting touchline conversion hit the upright but Sutton led 5-3.

The hosts reasserted themselves when centre Louis Baker scored the first of his two tries of the afternoon. Showing all of his Rugby League prowess he brushed aside tacklers to charge in from 25 metres. The conversion failed but OC had regained the lead at 8-5. Sutton’s reply was immediate and for many present it was their try of the season. From halfway exquisite passing and support play in a 10-metre channel by the touchline created a second try for Kyren Ghumra. S&E edged ahead 10-8. As swiftly as the visitors had replied the home team matched them with their second try moments later. Fullback Chris Harris initiated a counter from halfway, Colfeians set out their stall in the Sutton 22 and then released their backs. Winger Mylo Mutongwizo finished in fine style as the plague of missed conversions continued with the Horn Park men leading 13-10.

This pulsating contest looked likely to see the lead change hands once more as Sutton pushed deep in the Colfeians 22. However, the alert Ollie Burkett made a crucial interception and sped away to halfway before being hauled down by Adam Bibby. The threat had not been neutered and the Colfeians flooded into Sutton territory and a try in the corner looked a certainty. Scrambling defence briefly thwarted OC but they were not to be denied as Dele Agorioge carried it to the line for fellow prop Tom Rameaux to apply the coup de grâce. It was third time lucky as Ollie Burkett bisected the uprights for 20-10. That concluded the scoring for a highly entertaining first period.

The Black & Whites had arrived with Gareth O’Brien taking on the duties of the Number 9 in the absence of Messrs Wise & Munford. Fate dealt the visitors a cruel blow when a concussion forced O’Brien from the field early in the game and flyhalf Tom Lennard took over his duties. Whether they could raise their game to overturn the deficit remained to be seen. The coaching staff imparted their tactical acumen and hoped their wise words would not be like Wittgenstein’s Lion and their charges would enter the fray with renewed vigour.

In these circumstances it always feels essential that the trailing side should score first in the second half. No doubt with the importance of that factor ringing in their ears Sutton were indeed the ones to open the scoring in the second period. It came from a familiar route. A penalty was kicked into the corner for an attacking lineout. It took some stunning footwork, steely determination and the advantage of his exceptionally long reach for lock Ewan McTaggart to score a fine solo effort. Another conversion, another miss and Sutton trailed 15-20. With a little over half an hour remaining and Sutton enjoying territory and possession the visitors were at their most fluent. Significantly the home defence was immaculate and the Surrey men struggled to gain yardage.

When it was Colfeians turn with the ball they were met with stubborn defence but they made ground with greater ease. Taking a leaf out of the Sutton playbook Chris Harris kicked a penalty into the corner. The catch and drive was successfully executed as hooker Freddie Holland-Oliver touched down for the bonus point try. Burkett collected the extras for the 27-15 lead. The Colfeians forwards started to impose themselves on the game with Captain Andy O’Malley to the fore and he was the next man to cross the whitewash. Ollie Burkett extended the advantage to 19 points as Horn Park applauded the 34-15 lead.

With fifteen minutes on the clock it would take a significant reversal of fortunes for Old Colfeians to be denied. Adam Bibby raised the hopes of the travelling supporters with a familiar weaving run but that flickering flame was soon extinguished. Minutes later his opposite number, Louis Baker, scored his second try as he ran in from 40 metres. Sutton trailed 39-15 and their only realistic target was to score one more try to gain a bonus point. The men from Rugby Lane duly obliged. Once more the saying ‘if it’s not broke don’t fix it’ sprung to mind. A penalty awarded, a kick to the corner and an attacking lineout. This time there was variation on the theme. The pack were halted but won a penalty. Tom Lennard took a quick tap and S&E besieged the line. They were rewarded with the vital fourth try as a joyous Eric Duey emerged from the pile. Freddy Bunting enjoyed his first success of the afternoon to make it 22-39.

Appropriately Old Colfeians had the final say in a match that they dominated in the latter stages. Once again it was Captain Andy O’Malley who got the glory from another powerful surge by the forwards. Ollie Burkett’s conversion went astray but his side had gained an emphatic 44-22 victory that included seven tries in an impressive start to 2026. Sutton had been in contention throughout the first half of an even contest. However, the longer the match continued they became overpowered by the hosts whose forwards provided the perfect platform and the foundations for their win.

The crowd adjourned to the clubhouse and the visitors enjoyed the generous hospitality from their hosts, led by their gregarious President Dave Hodgkiss, as Horn Park remains one of the favourite destinations for Sutton supporters. Next Saturday the action returns to Rugby Lane for the visit of Sidcup. The Kent club won the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign 22-12 at Crescent Farm and the Black & Whites will be keen to record their first win of the new calendar year.

Sutton & Epsom
Bennion, Scott, Bibby, Bunting ©, Ghumra, Lennard, O’Brien, Johnson, Lennie, Boaden, McTaggart, Finney, Rea, Jones & Hegarty. Reps: Howes, Duey & Symonds.

Old Colfeians
Harris, Mutongwizo, Baker, Napper, Spaczil, Burkett, Wylie, Rameaux, Holland-Oliver, Agorioge, O’Malley ©, Collins-Oberman, Enskat, Walker & Amor. Reps: Correa, Ramdhan & Storey.

 

Mens 1st XV

Regional 2 South East: view league table