A heavy downpour two hours before the kick-off guaranteed that Sutton & Epsom would play their first ever league game on a synthetic 4G pitch.

Undaunted by unfamiliar conditions, Sutton dominated their Brighton hosts game to record a bonus point 26-7 win, and maintain their challenge at the business end of London One South.

The men from Surrey started the match as if they had played all their lives on a 4G pitch as the hosts weathered unrelenting waves of attacks.

After 13 minutes Sutton's patience and control paid dividends as George London, using his familiar strength, powered over from short range for a deserved first try of the campaign.

Sam Hurley effortlessly added the conversion.

Within five minutes Guy Stuckey-Clarke's incisive break from half way and sweetly timed pass enabled Ian Knott to score his long overdue first try of the season.

Hurley's sweetly timed conversion from the touchline meant the Black and Whites were 14-0 up before the end of the first quarter.

Anyone who thought that this was going to be a procession underestimated the resolve, tackling and organisation of the Blues defence, which was superb.

A half-time lead of 14 points barely reflected the visitors monopoly of possession.

A combination of sloppy play and indiscipline from the guests and renewed effort from the hosts gave the Waterhall faithful room for optimism.

The key play of the game was early in the second period with a Brighton line out on the Sutton line.

As he has done all season, James Caddy disrupted the throw winning a turnover and his side never looked back.

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Unlucky son: Brighton’s Alex Finch fails to stop Jak Martin from touching down

Matt Whitaker capped a rampaging man of the match performance scoring from a 5m scrum on 56 minutes.

Steve Burton poached a loose ball and deftly gifted the omnipresent Jak Martin a try six minutes later giving the black and whites a 26-point cushion and a bonus point as they entered the last quarter.

The home side responded well spreading the ball wide and deserved their 79 minute consolation, but Sutton & Epsom deservedly completed the double over their Sussex rivals.

In a great team performance, Raynn Bruce was tireless in his ball-carrying and fellow prop Craig Bellringer had his best game of the season in the loose as he carried, offloaded and tackled to great effect.

Sadly Chris Pointing suffered a dislocated shoulder on a day where the host's facilities favoured the 15-man rugby the supporters at Rugby Lane have come to expect this season.

The league campaign takes a breather next week with Sutton & Epsom due to entertain Old Reigatians in the quarter final of the Surrey Trophy, although whether the game will go ahead is yet to be confirmed.

London One action resumes on January 31 with Sidcup the visitors to Rugby Lane (2pm kick-off).

Sutton & Epsom: Knott; Ghumra (Nichols), Stuckey-Clarke, A. Matthews, Hurley; Murray, Martin; Bruce, M. Pointing, Bellringer (Al Khaldi), Harwood, S. Burton, London (C.Pointing), Caddy (capt), Whitaker.

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