The opening game of any tournament is often a tight, cagey affair, and this first match of the 21/22 Suffolk Plate competition was no different. A combined Sudbury/Hadleigh team demonstrated their strength in depth – having a squad of 29 will always help with options off the bench and fresh legs. Bury’s travelling with only four substitutes was always going to be up against it, but fortunately what they lacked in quantity they more than made up for in quality, alongside plenty of guts and determination.

The game opened with both sides testing each other out; a few probing kicks from Sudleigh and Bury forcing some turnovers with strong line pressure. When Sudleigh had some decent possession there was strong defence from Bury, with Ben Nevison-Grainger his usual hard-working self, regularly putting his body on the line for the cause. As the home side increased the pressure, Bury were guilty of some indiscipline as they fought to protect their try line. Good counter rucking work from Harry Wooldridge stole the ball and Reuben Sorooshian and then Tudor Weyers helped alleviate the building pressure with some great runs down the field.

As Bury tired from their defensive exertions, Sudleigh finally took the lead midway through the first half. However, as so often happens, this seemed to stir the away side into showing more attacking intent. First a solid lineout was taken, before Callum Wilson then Jack Griggs drove up towards the line. The next scrum was also a nice solid platform to launch an attack – nice hands out to Wilson who burst over to score under the posts. Todd Hutchinson converted to level up the scores.

Unfortunately, the scoreline did not stay even for long; Sudleigh winning their own scrum to allow their number eight to pick up and score in the corner. Back Bury came again, showing fine spirit and determination to drive forwards. Angus Hudson was held up just short of the line before the ball went out to Lennon Reader to score an excellent try, his first since joining Bury. All things were equal going into the half-time interval.

Bury showed good intent from the start of the second period, Harry Wooldridge won yet another lineout and the forwards tidily secured the ball before mauling towards the Sudleigh line. Tudor Weyers was on hand to touchdown and continue his rich vein of try scoring form, with Todd Hutchinson again converting to give a 19-12 lead. Sudleigh fought back well, taking the game to Bury and only good work from Lennon Reader and Reuben Sorooshian helping to avoid an instant response.

Some strong running from Charlie Feehan, Jack Griggs and Callum Wilson kept the Sudleigh defence stretched, but the home side continued to threaten with ball in hand. Bury were sometimes guilty of running back into traffic rather than looking for space – although rugby is considered a contact sport it is just about always preferable to try and avoid contact when in attack! Ben Nevison-Grainger was having another quietly efficient game, producing a try saving tackle when Sudleigh looked certain to score and subsequently Ollie Cooper repeated the effort with some great defence. Shortly afterwards, Bury earned a penalty after a good break and Todd Hutchinson continued his perfect 2022 kicking record to provide some much-needed scoreboard breathing space.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, the home side pressure eventually told and Sudleigh were suddenly right back in it, trailing by only five points. A close game came down to the last few plays of the day but, with Harry Wooldridge continuing his exceptional work in the lineout and the team-wide defensive effort holding strong, Bury eventually kicked the ball out to secure a great 22-17 victory. It was an excellent effort against a strong Sudleigh squad, with perhaps some better decision making required at times to avoid built up defences and to not get sucked in when defending themselves. Sometimes players snatch at decisions or rush passes and they could do well by trusting their skills and instincts a little more on occasion. All in all, an excellent performance away from home, and just the start needed in this tough competition, well done!