SUTTON MISS OUT ON TWICKERS

18-03-2008

They were just 80 minutes from an historic Twickenham appearance, but the brave boys of Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club fell at the final hurdle, going down 40 - 3 to Hartpury College in the EDF Cup semi-final. Chairman Geoff Fletcher looks back with pride and disappointment on a drizzle-soaked Saturday afternoon.

Well, all good things must come to an end. But as Sutton’s Twickenham dream in the EDF Club ended at the hands of an exceptionally strong Hartpury side, the prospect of promotion and further development for the club come as considerable consolation.

Saturday’s drizzle failed to dampen the spirits of the thousand or so who turned out for the biggest game in the club’s history.

But the visitors were always going to be a mountain to move with a Zimbabwe Sevens player amongst their ranks and a host of players with National One experience. For the football fans amongst you, a parallel would perhaps be Solihull Moors reaching the semi finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup, only to face an Aston Villa side including John Carew and Nigel Reo-Coker!

Their quality told as after just 16 minutes, the Sutton boys – who are sitting proudly at the top of Midlands 3 – were 19-0 down with fears that a real trouncing was on the cards.

Credit to the Sutton amateur players, however, as the team’s trademark grit and resolve frustrated what is effectively an academy side and for a ten minute spell were camped on the Hartpury line, only to be themselves frustrated by the visitors’ solid defence.

The 40-3 score-line probably failed to do our performance and spirit justice and a try would really have been just reward.

So, it’s mixed feelings all round – while obviously gutted at the defeat and being so close to what would have been a tremendous day at the home of rugby, I am over the moon to have got so far and everybody involved in the club is proud of the team.

We look like we are going to win the league, which was always the priority, and this experience will make us better and stronger. Our plan is to build both as a team and a community club and playing superior opposition is ultimately what we aspire to.

It’s been a roller coaster ride – we’ve learned a lot, had loads of fun, made a few quid and hopefully established our role in the midst of the Sutton Coldfield community.