Sutton Coldfield U15’s v Lichfield U15’s – Friendly Match – 23rd January 2022

Brought to you from pitch side by Chief Sports Correspondant Will Parker

KO 11:00am – Lichfield playing away from the Clubhouse in the first period, Lichfield kick off. Weather fresh and bright, ground firm to soft

4 mins – Lichfield Try. After sustained Lichfield pressure, Sutton failed to clear their lines sufficiently from a drop out under their posts, Sutton had possession, but Fynn Ward made a tackle on the Sutton player and then shot up again to successfully jackal the ball back which was then moved out to the backs with Chaz Vernon making a break before feeding Ruben Slack who scored to the left-hand side of the posts

Conversion successful by Lucas Laing

9 mins – Try to Sutton Coldfield. after Sutton applied some sustained pressure with good ball recycling Lichfield were rightly penalised for not releasing the tackled player under their own posts, Sutton took a tap penalty from 5 metres out and moved the ball to score to the right-hand side of the posts (yes this is the one the Ref gave that wasn’t grounded and that Matthew Jackson caught on camera, but some you win, some you lose!)

Conversion unsuccessful

16 mins – Lichfield try. Sutton entered a ruck from the side and from the penalty Ruben Slack put a huge kick in to touch in the Sutton 22, from the ensuing line out the ball was moved left and right across the field with good continuity before Chaz Vernon eventually crashed through the last line of defence to score under the posts

Conversion unsuccessful by Lucas Laing

19 mins – Lichfield try. Sutton held onto the ball in the tackle leading to a Lichfield penalty that Ruben Slack cleared to touch. From the lineout Lichfield initially called a forward drive, the ball was then released to the backs who set a ruck up in the middle of the 22, the ball was won and moved left before Chaz Vernon cut back against the flow to score under the posts…again

Conversion successful by Lucas Laing

End of first period. Sutton Coldfield 5 – 19 Lichfield

33 mins – Sutton try. After securing a line out Sutton moved the ball out into the centres, cut back into the midfield, won a ruck and then moved the ball out to the left winger who rounded the defence to score in the corner, we switched off for this one

Conversion unsuccessful

41 mins – Lichfield try. After winning 3 consecutive rucks the ball was moved out to the left for Chaz Vernon to break through the defence to be held up 5 meters from the try line but was able to release the ball to the supporting Zac Birkett-Potter who scored, great team try

Conversion successful by Lucas Laing

48 mins – Sutton try. After pressuring the Lichfield defence, Sutton were awarded a scrum that they won and moved the ball out to the right to score

Conversion successful

End of second period. Sutton Coldfield 17 – 26 Lichfield

The Ref now played 2 x 5-minute periods to finish off, these were quite scrappy from both sides with no real continuity however, Sutton did manage to squeeze a last try in under the posts with a successful conversion. Sutton also held the Lion’s share of possession in these last 2 periods and threw everything at Lichfield, and it needs to be noted that the defence and absolute grit shown by the Lichfield players to keep Sutton at bay was absolutely awesome, to hold out for a deserved victory

Final Score: Sutton Coldfield 24 – 26 Lichfield

In summary, we started the game at a high tempo and with everyone focussed, stepping up another notch from recent performances which themselves have been brilliant, and this was great to see. Sutton are a very good side and would probably have expected to beat us based on previous encounters, but you really brought your ‘A’ game today Lads – well in patches, there’s always room for improvement! Your commitment couldn’t be faulted however, especially in the last 2 x 5 min periods when fatigue was setting in, all 22 of you simply wouldn’t give in which was hugely pleasing for both the Coaches and travelling support, we were all very proud of you again Boys.

Plenty to work on though, and we will be picking up on feedback from the video clips and observations we noted for Wednesday’s training, so come prepared to work hard as we have Kings Norton on Sunday, and they will feel they owe us one!