Pilgrims Match Report

Pilgrims 17

Sutton & Epsom 36

The pilgrims made the journey to Sutton in their last league fixture of the season knowing they needed to secure a bonus point win and deny Sutton any bonus points of their own to prevent a relegation playoff next Saturday.

The game started with both sides looking to exert their authority on the match with pilgrims having an advantage in the lineout and Sutton having a slight advantage at the scrums. The pilgrims robust gain line defence was frustrating Sutton until a good running line saw them break through to score under the posts for a 7-0 lead.

The Pilgrims showed good discipline as Sutton kept the ball well for long periods of the first half, but when they did get the opportunity they used the ball effectively to score a try of their own out wide with the conversion missed. 7-5. With the half drawing to a close, the pilgrims back 3 were caught out of position which allowed a speculative Sutton Kick in behind to be regathered and dotted down out wide to bring the half time score to 12-5.

The second half started with what has often epitomised the pilgrims season with the bounce of a ball deciding the next score, with the pilgrims on the attack a loose ball was almost regathered for what would have been a certain score for Owain Collins, but instead the ball bounced in Sutton’s favour and they went the length to score a converted try to take the score to 19-5. The pilgrims emptied the bench after injuries to Archie English and Stan Bull and once again looked threatening with ball in hand, but it was Sutton who scored their bonus point try which condemned the pilgrims to a relegation play off next weekend, regardless of the games outcome.

The pilgrims responded well with 2 tries of their own to bring the score to 26-17, but Sutton, safe in the knowledge their league status was secured began playing with more freedom and they added 2 further unconverted scores in the closing minutes to win an entertaining game 36-17.

The pilgrims must now win a relegation playoff next weekend against Dartfordians at the MTG to ensure they remain in regional 2 next season.