Sutton & Epsom performed with great courage against Guernsey in London One South on Saturday but couldn't muster a first win of the season, losing 40-14.

Guernsey were a strong side who out-weighed Sutton by at least two stones per man - Guernsey’s tight head prop probably weighed as much as both of Sutton’s props put together.

Against the side which on the previous league weekend beat league leaders Chichester this was always going to be a big ask for Sutton but despite being generally out gunned, Sutton stuck to their task, tackled like demons and at times played some excellent rugby but when it takes two or even three players to stop an opponent, gaps will always appear in the defensive line.

The writing was on the wall for Sutton very early in the game when from a five metre scrum the visitors pack drove Sutton inexorably backwards and the Guernsey No8 Nick Barton claimed the try. Centre Luke Sayers converted.

A few minutes later, Sutton were again shunted backwards at a scrum and the Guernsey full back Luke Jones running a great angle sliced through a yawning gap to score next to the posts. Sayer again converted.

Despite these early setbacks, Sutton continued to play some attractive rugby and a fantastic 40 metre break by 19-yeear-old hooker Ed Payne set up a ruck on the left 10 metres out, the ball went back along the line for Sutton’s captain lock Austin Sheppard to drive over wide on the right. Wing Steve Warnham converted.

Guernsey’s forward power then told again when following a lineout seven metres out from Sutton’s line the Guernsey hooker Braddley Choules was driven in for their third try. He repeated this just before half time, driven over midway to the posts. Sayers converted both for Guernsey to lead 7-28 at the break.

Guernsey were fast out of the blocks in the second half and put Sutton under huge pressure but for a lengthy period Sutton’s obdurate and courageous defence kept them out until the Channel Islanders were able to create a gap in Sutton’s line and centre Sayers running at pace sliced through to score. He converted his own try.

Despite the mounting score against them, Sutton showing great character came back, they broke out of defence the ball passing through the hands of nearly the entire team before flanker Felix Symonds made the decisive break, chipped ahead and flying centre Andy Nicholls won the race to touch down wide on the left. Warnham converted.

Sutton continued to attack and looked good for a third try but they were punished by a long penalty kick to touch and it was Guernsey who had the last say picking and driving superbly from the ruck the forced Sutton back and on the stroke of full time replacement flanker Tom Ceilam crashed over for their sixth try. The conversion was missed.

Sutton travel to Haywards Heath on Saturday, kick off 2.15pm, still looking for their first win of the season.