Tuesday night Stourbridge Colts took on Sutton Colefield in the final of the Fred Rowley memorial tournament at Walsall Rfc. The colts had managed to get to the same stage last year but were defeated by Wolverhampton so there was everything to play for.

Stour started strongly with all intent to play by building phases in Suttons 22, by, moving the ball wide allowed second row Alex Jones to finish in the corner by using his strength and size. Shortly after Stour conceded a penalty on their own 10 metre line where Sutton took a shot a goal, even though the attempt was unsuccessful it showed they had a quality striker of the tee and could be a threat to the scoreboard.

Sutton then started to build some phases in Stours 22 off the restart but were held off the tryline with some great defending from the colts. This however eventually ended in a penalty in front of the posts for Suttons fly half who was not going to miss making the score 5-3.

Stourbridge hit back quickly after a some good carriers from Henry Trimmer from the base which gained them a gifted the colts a penalty in front of the posts in Suttons 22 for Olly Shergold to knock over making the score 8-3.

Further this for the next 10 minutes of the game both teams had a good amount of possession with eventually Stour being beaten at the breakdown by some good defending from the Sutton backrow, but a good drifting defence from Stour kept their opposition at bay.
Sutton managed did finally manage to break Stours defence after a missed tackle led to them getting in behind Stour and was neatly finished by their centre. The Fly half failed to add the extra making the score 8-8 at the end of the first half.

Second half Sutton came out playing against the wind and were happy to run from their own 22, a nasty bounce of the ball was unforgiving as it popped straight into the arms of their full back who dotted down to make the score 8-13 to Sutton. Stour responded straight off the kick off, a brilliant chase led to a fumble in the Sutton forwards which was wrapped up by backrow George Smith and was moved swiftly to the wide channels where Olly Shergold finished in the corner. Shergold then converted his try from the right hand side touchline to take Stour into the lead 15-13.

Stourbridge seemed to be taking hold of the game building momentum in their oppositions half, but Sutton played to their strengths and manged to gain good field position in Stours half by shipping the ball into the wide channels. After failing to exit well from our own 22, Sutton were rewarded with a try which was converted making the score 20-15 with about 20 minutes to play.
For the final quarter of the game Stourbridge had themselves camped in Suttons half, however good defending as well as inaccuracy at the lineout allowed Sutton to clear their lines on serval occasions. The clock was very much on their side as Stourbridge failed to convert any pressure into points during their long period of possession.
Final play was packed with adrenaline, the colts pressed hard which saw Sutton concede 3 penalties on their own 5 metre line resulting in 2 yellow cards. Once again however, inaccuracy saw Stour knock it on when going into contact just short of the line. Full time Stour 15- Sutton 20. Credit to Sutton, they defended extremely well in the last few moments of the game.

It was certainly a fantastic game to watch and was played in good spirit by both teams. Shame we couldn’t get there again this year but I am sure the boys will be back next time hungry for the trophy. I would like to thank all of the supporters from the club who travelled down to Walsall to watch, as well as all the players who have been part of the squad for the tournament and the season. You guys have been immense. To be struggling to field a side at the start of the season to reaching the final of the Fred Rowley Cup I think is a massive achievement in its own. See you next year Walsall!