The surprise of this match was that either side managed to score a try at all.

Neither side had backs who appeared capable of breaking the others line.

That said both sets of backs defended well but in honesty they did make it easy for each other.

The difference between the sides was the quality of Cobhams forwards who always had Sutton under pressure at the scrum and dominated the lineout. Sutton’s lineout just did not work in this match and time and again they either lost ball to the visitors or had ball disrupted putting them under pressure. There also seemed to be a lack of passion in the Sutton side as if they thought this would be an easy match and they only had to go through the paces.

The honourable exception to this was lock Felix Symonds who was the only Sutton player to regularly break the gain line. It was fitting then that Symonds scored Sutton’s only try of the game. Sutton need the return of hooker James Bennett to add that edge of passion to the game.

Early on Cobham’s pack were rampant comfortably winning their own ball in the tight and disrupting Sutton’s and after 14 minutes they set up a powerful rolling maul which inexorably drove forward from 20 metres for flanker Simon Ackroyd to touch down.

Captain, centre Aaran Cowell converted to give Cobham an early 7 point lead. Shortly after Sutton brought prop Jamie Pearson on which steadied Sutton’s scrum a little and they began to get into the match.

First scrum half Steve Munford kicked a penalty then with three minutes to go in the half a supernb break of the back of the scrum by No8 Alex Mockford broke through Cobhams defence and that man Symonds was there in support to take the inside pass and score next to the posts. Munford converted and Sutton went in at the break 10-7 up and looking capable of the win.

The lead lasted precisely four minutes when having made good use of the strong breeze at their backs to get into Sutton territory, Cowell kicked a penalty to level the score. He kicked another shortly after to give the visitors the lead and despite Sutton having the bulk of possession for the remainder of the half a tendency to knock on, try to off load in unviable situations or the give away penalties always allowed Cobham to clear back deep in Sutton’s half.

On Saturday Sutton are away at fellow strugglers Tunbridge Wells Kick off 2.30pm. They will need to play with more spirit and determination to come up with their 2nd win of the season.