MATCH REPORT: CROYDON vs OLD SUTTONIANS 9th Feb

With the season in full swing, three teams had separated themselves at the top pf the table and although Croydon were coming off the back of a win, Sutton represented a step up in class and a must win fixture if the Poppies still had aspirations of winning the league.

Croydon dominated the opening minutes kicking the ball (and the oppo) down the pitch, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. With Shrimpton commanding the number 9 position, an early penalty gave Bond the chance to put some points on the board and he sailed the ball through the posts.

As the momentum swung away from the Poppies, Sutton showed their ability to offload out of the tackle, scoring two tries off consecutive plays. Croydon reacted and got behind the powerful running of "Big Bosh Man" Simons and "Bosh Baby" Jeffrey to allow Andrew "Bosh Spice" Lyell to charge over from five metres and reduce the deficit to just two points at the half.

The conditions took their toll in the second half and the muddy ball kept slipping out of Croydon’s possession. A dogged defensive effort was not enough and another try stretched the lead for the visitors. The Poppies responded again and with the returning JC attacking with all the vigour of Bastille day and your humble narrator pinching the five points with all the vigour of try-steal day.

Unfortunately, the Poppies were not able to push on to victory and despite an heroic last ditch tackle from Drummey and try saving interception from Jeffrey, Sutton had the last laugh and extended the scoreline to cement their position at the top of the league.

Final Score: Croydon 17 – Old Suttonians 31

Tries: Lyell, Biggs

Conversions: Bond (2)

Penalties: Bond

MoM: Simons (Forwards), Shrimpton (Backs)