Despite having the lion's share of play in this RFU Intermediate cup tie on Saturday, Sutton were unable to break through a superbly organised Richmond defence and had only three penalties from the trusty boot of captain Sam Frost to show for some Herculean efforts, writes John Ashton.
The Richmond defence brought such a relentless pressure to bear on Sutton that players found themselves snatching at the ball, and the inevitable handling errors occurred usually at vital stages in promising attacks.
This was a match played at extraordinary pace and with total commitment from both teams, but although Sutton also defended solidly they were never able to apply the same pressure and leaked two tries, one in each half.
On Saturday Sutton are back to league rugby at home to Basingstoke who they beat 12-20 at Basingstoke back in November. Basingstoke are currently third in London Division One while Sutton are in second place.
p On Sunday Sutton & Epsom's ladies beat Thurrock Ladies 22-12 in the quarter finals of the National Ladies Rugby Shield. Sutton's Ann Mecham scored two superb tries with one apiece for Emma Rainer and Jenna Still. Meg Mason kicked one conversion.
Richmond R.F.C. 20 :Sutton & Epsom 9
December 19, 2001 13:00
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