Chiswick 22 – 46 Sutton & Epsom Rugby
Sutton reached the midpoint of the season by extending their lead in London One South to nine points with an impressive bonus point win over Chiswick. Enjoying a rare game in London on a bleak afternoon just north of the River the Black & Whites gave their Australian back Guy Stuckey-Clarke a victorious send off.
S&E started with the wind in their favour but playing against the slope.
The Middlesex side with their big pack and probing backs were testing the Sutton & Epsom defences. For a while it looked like a solitary Hurley penalty was all that the visitors were going to have for their efforts in the second quarter. Aaron Philip had a try disallowed, the Chiswick line stood firm despite the onslaught. Eventually Steve Burton picking an excellent line scored under the posts to send S&E into a 15-10 lead at the break.
From the restart the Surrey side showed the form that has seen them rise to the top of the table. A break by Kyren Ghumra put Sam Hurley in for his first try of the season that he duly converted. He followed this with a simple penalty to extend the lead to 25-10. 5 minutes later a typical surging run by Matt Whitaker created a try for Steve Munford to secure the bonus point. Sutton put on their replacements as they aimed to improve their points difference and reinforce their ascendancy.
However, the spirited Chiswick were next to score before Guy Stuckey-Clarke decided to make his mark on his final game for the Black and Whites. His first try extended the lead to 39-15. Just when he might have thought that his day may end on a low as the Chiswick scored a well worked try on the 80th minute, the best was still to come. A wonderful break from Aaron Phillip released Kyren Ghumra who was stopped close to the line but offloaded for the departing Antipodean to score. Sam Hurley added the extras to close out the game 46-22.
Next Saturday, 19th December, sees the last league fixture of 2015. It promises to be a spectacular end of the year with Sutton visiting Sidcup who had a handsome win at Rugby Lane in September to inflict on S&E their only defeat of the campaign so far.
So if you are looking for an excuse to avoid the hideous prospect of Christmas shopping then I would heartily recommend Crescent Farm for the an epic encounter. Please note, like Rugby Lane, Sidcup play under floodlights and the kick off will be 3pm.
Details
For full details of all of the club's activities go to RUGBY