SUTTON GET TWICKERS IN A TWIST

27-02-2008

Rugger buggers invade the hallowed, footy loving portals of The Stirrer? Why, yes. Because Sutton Coldfield have achieved the odd-shaped ball equivalent of Chasetown by reaching the semi-finals of the EDF Cup. Club chairman Geoff Fletcher recalls Saturday's achievments which put them on the brink of a trip to Twickers.

Nobody would have dared to think it at the start of the season but Sutton Coldfield Rugby Football Club stand just 80 minutes away from the biggest game in their 87-year history – a cup final at Twickenham.

For a club which runs five senior teams and a Colts 15 every Saturday – almost 100 players – in addition to mini and junior sections from aged seven to 17, it would be fair to say that cup fever is running wild.

SCRF play in Midlands 3 West North and currently sit at the top of our league with just one defeat all season and a positive points difference of 407.

Despite this success, a run in the ERF to this stage was beyond our wildest dreams.

On Saturday, over 200 dedicated green and white clad fans made the 400 mile trip up to the north east to the town of Horden to play in the quarter final of the EDF Senior Vase.

Both the day and the game were fantastic.

After arriving in the small ex-mining village, the Sutton fans were treated to some excellent Northern hospitality (including pints of ale at a most reasonable £1.50!) which guaranteed that that all were in good voice by kick off.

The game itself was worthy of a quarter final and the lure of Twickenham is the sort of prize that rugby players of all levels will be motivated by.

Playing into a North Sea gale in the first half, Sutton fought to contain Horden to a 16-10 lead which they then extended early in the second half with a penalty.

But then the plucky Brummies were able to press on but despite having the wind in their sails and their backs they were still trailing on the hour 24-22.

The fear of losing this important game seemed to galvanise the Sutton boys not used to tasting defeat this season and then hit back with two tries in quick succession - a second for Luke Ward, and one for replacement Mike Worthington which Rowlands again converted.

Sutton were up 24–34 and effectively through to the semi final, plucky Horden would not give in though and came back with effectively a consolation try in the dying seconds making the score 29-34.

As is the tradition on such visits in the game of rugby, the Sutton crowd travelled back in high spirits and celebrated long into the night at their club, but now the focus is back on the cup with the semi final draw was announced with Sutton securing a home draw against Hartpury College on the 15th March.

Hartpury are effectively an Academy side for Gloucester who top the Premiership, but in this form – and at home – we fear no one.

Never mind the greed and cheating of the footy – the dreams of cup glory are well and truly alive in Sutton!