Not Over Until The Fat Lady Sings.
In the twilight of a tremendous tussle, steadfast ‘Street storm Sutton to triumph in stunning turn-round.
Broadstreet RFC; for the second week running, had to dig deep to come back from another daunting deficit to take the spoils. At 10 – 17 down to Sutton Coldfield RFC, with seven minutes of the game remaining, it took two determined assaults, firstly, to bag a try by hooker, Stewart Pearl; converted by Lee Chapman and the second, from the restart, powerful forward play forcing Sutton to offend, giving Chapman the penalty chance with which to clinch the match with the last play of the game writes Bob Harcourt. After a tame showing at Sutton earlier in the season, ‘Street were never going to capitulate like that for a second time and, unlike the away encounter, where their defence was somewhat below par, the home side looked far more assured and enjoyed considerably more points scoring opportunities than previously.
Beau CarneyWill OwenAt the Ivor Preece Field Rugby Ground ‘Street kicked off with the wind at their backs and applied early pressure, however, two attacking penalties (a trend that affected both teams throughout) saw them knocked back to half way and Sutton attacked deep into home territory. Great defence, with one mighty blitz by powerhouse prop Ben Dawes, saw fly half Lee Chapman clear to the Sutton 10 metre line. Sutton were offside in the ensuing attack, but Chapman put his penalty kick left of the posts. ‘Street attacked again and although flanker Chris Zutic touched down for a try on the left, a forward pass was adjudged and play was taken back for an infringement by Sutton’ number 6, Brook Davies, who earned himself a yellow card. ‘Street elected a scrum six metres out but, once again, incurred an attacking penalty and Sutton were able to clear. Chapman and Zutic were back in the action two minutes later when a blistering line break by Chapman saw only the fullback to beat; Chris Zutic was on hand again to create a two on one but, unaccountably, Chapman failed to pass and a seven-pointer went begging. With ‘Street being penalised at the following ruck, Sutton attacked from deep and with another home side infringement, they broke down the left touchline and only lightning covering back by centre Will Owen, snuffed out the threat of a score. Chapman was eventually successful minutes later, when a galloping break by prop Josh McNulty was only halted under the posts. Sutton killed the ruck ball and Chapman took first blood, 3 – 0 and prop Sean Harrison earned a yellow card dismissal. Sutton launched an attack after the restart and only a mammoth scrum effort, propelling Sutton backwards, relieved the pressure. From the penalty, ‘Street fluffed the lineout and Sutton kicked clear up field. The hosts countered and with good progress being made; involving Dawes, Andy Solomon and Pearl, to name a few, the final scoring pass was received by - you’ve got it, ‘everywhere’ open side wing forward, Beau Carney, Chapman converted for, 10 – 0. Sutton ran the restart ball from a penalty inside their 22 and Andrew Solomon picked up a yellow card for not being back 10 metres, still within the Sutton half, just before play closed for half time.
Stewart PearlChris ZuticThe visitors started the second half with gusto and put together a great passage of play ending in Brook Davies crashing over left field with just minutes played. Centre Alex White converted, 10 – 7. On the 10 minute mark ‘Street were penalised, but an act of petulance by a Sutton player saw the award reversed. Chapman kicked deep to six metres out and the pack drove the lineout with only a score being denied by Sutton’s tight head prop, Liam Hills, pulling down the maul, for which he was shown the yellow card. ‘Street tried a drive again but were penalised! Sutton cleared into the ‘Street half and set up another admirable attack eventually seeing Jamie Scott burrow over in almost the same spot as Sutton’s previous try. White converted and Sutton took the lead for the first time, with 23 minutes left to play, 10 – 14. Almost on the half hour Sutton’s outstanding number eight, Fraser Tait, not for the first time, broke the fringes and made good ground, but, a Sutton player offended at the attacking ruck and ‘Street found relief. The ‘Greens’ had their tails up now and were going for the kill. A threatening kick through was gathered by last defender, scrum half Nick Thatcher and Sutton were awarded a penalty for ‘holding on’. White made no mistake and took his team out to 10 – 17 with seven minutes to play. With a penalty not being enough, ‘Street needed a try, conversion and a kick to win the game. Now playing against an ever-strengthening gale, your money would have to be on Sutton closing off the game, but ‘Street were all up for defying the odds and, themselves, upped the ante! ‘Street restarted and kicked deep. Sutton kicked back to just inside their host’s half and Jeff Gregson ran the ball into Sutton territory. Thereafter, the forwards took over, with some powerful driving play, featuring Dawes, thrice, McNulty, Chris Wood, Matthew and Andrew Solomon and Carney; marshalled supremely by Nick Thatcher, eventually propelled Stewart Pearl over for the try. Chapman converted, 17 – 17; four minutes to go and the ‘fat lady’ approaching! Sutton, now clearly unsettled, knocked on at the re-start and ‘Street built up a great surge of play, involving backs and forward, to make progress to the defence 22 metre line where a Sutton player eventually transgressed and Chapman stroked over the winning penalty kick, 20 – 17.
Alex BeddowsWhat did Mrs Freemantle think of it? “It’s never over until the fat lady sings” [a possible reference to Brunnhilde - a fat lady singer at the end of a Wagner opera]; a very fitting one-liner, Mrs F.
Cameo of the match: - Alex Beddow’s boneshaker tackle on the ample proportioned Sutton captain, Brook Davies – “sit down Shep”.
Team:Dawes, Pearl, McNulty; Solomon Andrew, Solomon Matthew; Zutic, Carney, Wood (C); Thatcher, Chapman; Harris Tommy, Freemantle, Owen, Harris Tom; Gregson. Reps: Beddows, Turner, Richards.
A very Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones and may the New Year see you prosper!
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