Top against bottom in this London Two South League game at Sutton & Epsom on Saturday and as the score suggests it was one way traffic, writes John Ashton.
Sutton had far too much pace and skill for the hapless Lewes who clearly face a long battle against relegation.
Sutton on the other hand strengthened their position on points difference although they will need to brush up various aspects of their game in the harder matches to come over the next few weeks if they are to remain top.
Sutton dominated from the start and almost scored in the first minute when rejuvenated scrum half Jack Daniels made a long run up the touchline only for the final pass to go astray. Indeed it was Daniels and his half back partner the ageless Sam Frost who were the architects of most of Sutton's dynamic attacking play, taking advantage of the stream of possession supplied by their hard working forwards.
The only surprise was that it took almost half an hour for Sutton to take the lead.
Almost inevitably it was Frost who spotted the gap from a 5m scrum, sliced through and then threw in a sidestep for good measure to score a try by the posts which he duly converted.
In the first 10 minutes of the half Sutton added three more tries.
The first followed good work by the centers Steve Warnham and Graham Dowden from a tap penalty quick ruck ball gave right wing Lyndon Burrell the chance toshow his exceptional pac and he touched down near the posts.
Next a good catch and drive by Sutton's pack took them to withing 5m where they released the ball to Daniels, he fed Frost flat on the gain line then looped roud for the return pass to score.
Finally a superb long kick into the corner by Frost set up another catch and drive.
This time Sutton's aggressive blind side flanker George Devonport peeled off the side and forced his way over with trade mark determination. Frost converted two of these for Sutton to lead 26-0 at the interval.
Thereafter it was just a question of how many and a cricket score seemed likely when Sutton added 21 points in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Lock Richard Nicholls made the first by charging down an attempted clearance kick somehow hanging on to the ball and popping a scoring pass to 18 year old prop Tom Lindsay.
Then good ruck ball gave Frost the chance to throw out a long miss pass to Sutton's leading try scorer left wing Will Newman.
One on one with his opposite number it was no contest as Newman skinned his man on the outside. The best was yet to come.
New head coach Martin "Bogey" Knights has repeatedly encouraged an adventurous approach, " If it's on go for it wherever you are!" In this instance Sutton were 5m from their own line at a set scrum going backwards, when Daniels managed to feed Frost.
He defied convention by passing to Burrell on the blindside on his own line but unmarked. After everyone had expected Frost to kick for touch, Burrell set off like a scalded cat and made about 50 metres before kicking past the Lewes full back into the Lewes 22.
Although Burrell was obstructed, centre Warnham retrieved the loose ball and following a ruck the ball passed through numerous hands before Newman crossed in the corner.
All three tries were converted by Frost. Unfortunately injuries halted the scoring spree. Prop Gary Nash having already retired with an ankle injury and as a Sutton had used all their replacements when skipper James Clark was forced to retire with a knee injury Sutton were down to 14 men.
They were soon down to 13 for a while when prop Lindsay went off for treatment. Lewes took advantage with a try from center Scott Patto before normal service was resumed.
Burrell scored his second in facile fashion but Daniels had to work a good deal harder for his second not being blessed with Burrell's pace. Then at last Sutton's dangerous full back Keith Middleton broke his duck for the season finishing off a concerted move.
Surprisingly Frost missed all three conversions perhaps he ws feeling his age after all.
Next Saturday Sutton face a much sterner challenge when they travel to Jersey whose away form is poor but who remain unbeaten so far at home.
* On Saturday the presdent of the Rugby Football Union, Mr Bob Rogers attended a lunch at Sutton & Epsom Rugby Club in honour of two quick thinking life savers.
During a match last October at Old Paulines Rugby Club between Old Paulines and Sutton & Epsom's etra B XV one of the Sutton players, Danny Brian suffered a major heart attack, his heart stopped and he stopped breathing.
His team mate Bob Smalley quickly assessed the situation and began mouth to mouth resucitation. Old Pauline Physio Sophie Capito was quickly on the scene and between them they performed mouth to mouth and CPR until the emergency services arrived thus saving Mr Brians life.
On Saturday The R.F.U. president presented Sophie Capito and Bob Smalley with Royal Humane Society Awards for their fantastic feat. Danny Brian who is still recovering from the heart attack was able to be at the lunch and was present for the the presentations.
Whilst at the club Mr Rogers also presented R.F.U. honours ties to 6 members of Sutton & Epsom for their volunteer work in Rugby. Awards were made to Jackie Dowden, Iain Fraser, Rachel Harvey, Richard Caines, David (Willie) Moore and John Ashton.
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