On the final day of the Six Nations, Sutton & Epsom produced their own version of “super Saturday” with a 13-12 victory over at London Division One South leaders Wimbledon.

In front of a very large crowd, what the match perhaps lacked in points was made up for by the intensity of the performance from both teams.

The foundation of Sutton’s success was a second half performance full of character, determination and more than a little skill.

This was certainly their best all–round display of the season if not for many seasons of late.

Under the astute tutelage of Jeff Parsons and Lee Cholewa strength and resolution has permeated through the squad which has delivered 18 victories in the past 20 league games.

Second placed Chobham’s victory at Sidcup means that Sutton are still three points behind them in third with three games remaining, with Wimbledon a further two points clear at the top of the table.

Wimbledon came into the match as the division’s leading scorers and the magnitude of Sutton’s performance was exemplified by the fact that the Sutton defence stood firm for almost two thirds of the game after Wimbledon’s reliable kicker, Neil Hallet, had converted four penalties in the first 25 minutes and had threatened to put the game beyond Sutton’s reach before half time.

Playing into a strong breeze Sam Hurley had also scored two penalties but Sutton spent extended periods of the first half defending their try line against wave after wave of Wimbledon attacks.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

The visitor’s first line tackling was of the highest order and clean breaks were few and far between, although Sutton did lose Kyren Ghumra to a yellow card on the stroke of half time but a six-point lead, at the interval, was probably less that Wimbledon had anticipated.

In the second half the Sutton pack began to dominate in the tight.

Wimbledon had to replace one of their props due to an injury and Sutton began to shunt the host’s scrum at will.

This dominance was highlighted by a passage of play with Sutton camped on the Wimbledon 5 metre line.

Wimbledon offended at three consecutive scrums resulting in penalties, on each occasion Sutton opted for a further scrum until the referee lost patience with the host’s front row and a prop was sent to the sin bin.

With no further front row players available to Wimbledon the referee had to call for uncontested scrums and the scoring opportunity passed.

Sutton full back Ian Knott came closest to breaking the second half deadlock, one of his mazy runs ended in him grounding the ball at the same time as he collided with the corner flag whilst two Wimbledon defenders were trying to bundle him into touch.

The referee gave the benefit of the doubt to the hosts meanwhile Sam Hurley was off target with a long range penalty attempt.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

As time slipped by the game became even tenser, on their rare forays into Sutton territory Wimbledon appeared impatient whilst Sutton continued the high quality of their tackling.

George London, Raynn Bruce and Mike Blakeburn were influential in gaining “hard yards” and Steve Munford orchestrated the back line and ball carriers with his best performance since his return from injury.

Inside centre, Andy Matthews, was to prove to be Sutton’s hero.

With 15 minutes remaining and after endless phases of Sutton possession around the host’s 22 metre line, Matthews threaded his way through a gap in the Wimbledon defence to evade a couple of tackles and score the only try of the match.

Sam Hurley added the conversion to give Sutton the smallest of leads.

Excellent discipline by Sutton in the closing stages kept penalties to a minimum and did not allow Wimbledon to bring Hallett’s excellent place kicking into play.

The level of performance from all of the team was exceptional, but Mike Blakeburn stood out with his endless tackling and effective ball carrying however the whole team played their respective parts on a memorable day.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Next week Sutton travel to bottom of the table Basingstoke, who gave Twickenham a walk over last week, however Sutton’s destiny this season is largely reliant upon Chobham and Wimbledon dropping points whilr fourth placed Sidcup are still not out of contention either.

It promises to be a nail biting last three games of the season and Sutton need to keep the winning momentum.

Team: Ian Knott, Sam Hurley, Guy Stuckey – Clarke, Andy Matthews, Kyren Ghumra, Frankie Murray, Steve Munford, Raynn Bruce, Mickey Pointing, Craig Bellringer, Mike Blakeburn, Matt Harwood, Joe Ridgley, George London, Matt Whitaker (Captain). Replacements: Jak Martin, Tariq Al Khaldi, Felix Symonds.

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