Nobody at Charlton Park knew what to make of an extraordinary afternoon's rugby.

On a raw day in Kidbrooke, the Sutton faithful were elated at a 23-19 victory that keeps the Black and Whites in touch with the leading pack in London Division One South, but that elation was matched by relief at hearing the final whistle.

You simply could not write a script for a game like this. A first half of six tries and 39 points was followed by a second period of no tries and a solitary injury time penalty goal.

But the drama was in the manner of victory - and defeat.

Though Sutton and the Park matched each other try for try in an imaginative and hugely entertaining first 40 minutes, Sutton always appeared to hold the whiphand with their counter - attacking flair and clinical finishing.

Charlton Park's strength lay in their huge, well-drilled pack, though they also had talented backs outside.

And the omens did not look good when the Park muscled over for the game's opening try in just seven minutes, but Sutton's intentions soon became clear.

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Sam Hurley had opened Sutton's account with a 13th minute penalty and two minutes later sped unopposed to the line after an impeccably timed, defence-splitting pass by Guy Stuckey-Clarke.

Charlton Park did hit back to regain the lead with a try converted from touch, but now Sutton really did have the bit between the teeth.

Twelve minutes before the break a glorious sweeping crossfield move ended with Andy Matthews doing what he does best, and nine minutes later Sutton again demonstrated how proficient they have become at the catch-and-drive.

A good clean catch and a rasping surge from the pack, an inevitable opposition infringement, and an equally inevitable penalty try - the sixth of the season.

At 20-12 it was all looking so promising but you could never write off Park.

A converted try on the stroke of half time cut the deficit to a single point, whereupon the home side prepared to lay siege to the Sutton line in the second half.

No statistics are to hand, but for almost the entire duration of the second half Park monopolised possession and territory.

In one sense the dominance achieved by their big and beefy forwards proved to be their downfall.

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Instead of having the wit to spread the ball wide after inflicting wave upon wave of punishing drives, they opted instead for a route one approach.

And since the Sutton defence was magnificent in their unflinching resistance, Park got almost nowhere.

That said, the pressure did yield four eminently kickable penalty attempts, two of them from in front of the posts.

Somehow, each and every one of them was either hooked or sliced wide, leaving friend and foe alike in a state of baffled astonishment.

The end is easily foretold. With time almost up , Sutton fly - hacked a clearance, massed at speed, won a penalty and Sam Hurley, as cool as anyone on the field, added the three points. Never has a final whistle sounded sweeter.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

The Sutton team showed three changes from the side narrowly beaten by Sidcup the previous week. In the absence of Craig Bellringer and Mike Blakeburn, there was a welcome debut for Cezar Ionica at prop, while Jason Ford resumed duties in the second row.

There was also a change on the wing.

During the week, Kyren Ghumra was mugged in Croydon. It is not known what became of his despicable assailants, but he was left with cuts and bruises and was clearly unable to play at Kidbrooke.

Kyren is as hardy as they come , however, and expects to be back in action against Hove. In the meantime he was replaced by the splendid Andy Nichols.

Team: Ian Knott: Sam Hurley, Guy Stuckey-Clarke, Andy Matthews, Andy Nichols; Frankie Murray, Jak Martin; Tariq Al Khaldi, Mickey Pointing, Raynn Bruce, Jason Ford, Matt Harwood, George London, James Caddy, Matt Whitaker.

Replacements: Cezar Ionica, Joe Ridgley, Steve Munford.

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Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Richmond and Twickenham Times: