Surrey Cup: LSA vs Epsom &Sutton

Report by Tiaan Visser

Photos by Sharlene Jobson

24 March 2007

On a cold wannabe Saturday afternoon, LSA were set to play Sutton & Epsom in the quarter finals of the Surrey Cup. Sutton & Epsom are currently playing in the London 2 league and are set for promotion to London 1 next season, having lost only one of their league games thus far. They looked a very well drilled team during their warm-up and that set the tone for the rest of their game. LSA were fielding a very different team to the usual side and were trying out some new combinations in various positions.

Sutton & Epsom took an early three point lead with a penalty conversion and within minutes LSA bounced back with a quick score through a cross field chip from the centres which Dave Kelly collected and put Malcolm Mirfin away to score. The try was converted and that was to be the first and last of LSA’s points for the day. Sutton & Epsom played to a strict game play and their style of play was very monotonous yet effective. They had big forwards who hit up in the channels and whenever one of their men were tackled, they always seemed to have support runners to offload to. They dominated the set phases and competed extremely well at the breakdowns and starved LSA of ball. They put together some well worked tries from set phases and capitalised on loose/turnover balls.

Although the day did not deliver too much excitement, LSA fell into a familiar groove towards the end when they started taking quick taps and throwing the ball around which was clearly the opposite game plan of the opposition and resulted in some frustration and niggles from the players.

All in all, it was a frustrating game to watch as LSA were clearly playing well below their normal standard. This weekend sees LSA take on Old Tiffinians at home ground Imber Court and this is guaranteed to deliver some exciting rugby.