Sutton and Epsom 40

Cheshunt 5

S&E overwhelmed Cheshunt on Saturday to climb the heady heights of fourth position in London Division 1.

In a scrappy encounter against a side bent on spoiling tactics, S&E ran in five tries to bring their try tally to 41 for January, an average of just over eight a match.

Fly-half Sam Frost, back in the side, enjoyed a magnificent afternoon kicking from both hand and feet.

S&E's pack were also on top from the start against one of the league's strugglers and made their mark within two minutes of the start, setting up Frost to smoothly stroke over a drop goal.

Although Frost added a penalty within a couple of minutes, S&E soon stretched their lead after second row Phil O'Sullivan won good lineout ball and set up full-back Graham Bolstad, who burst through on a well-timed run to drive over wide of the posts.

Despite Frost missing the conversion, S&E soon went further ahead from another lineout when captain Jason Allibone sped around his opposite number to score and see the sides turn around at 16-0.

S&E, guilty of sitting back on their lead before the break, sprung back into life after the turnaround to go further ahead within a couple of minutes of the restart.

With Cheshunt desperately trying to clear their lines the visitors were caught in possession and dispossessed before wing Dave Mellor fought his way over in the corner. Frost converted from near the touch line.

Cheshunt, who hadn't looked like piercing S&E's defence, broke mid-way through the half when wing Paul Wharton forced his way over in the corner for an unconverted try.

S&E paid the visitors back with interest, flanker James Clark breaking off a scrum to score near the corner flag.

Frost converted again from near the touch line and also had a hand in S&E's two final scores. First the fly-half kicked a penalty and then a second massive penalty deep in his own half gave Sutton a lineout, three metres from the Cheshunt line. Up rose O'Sullivan to take the catch, the pack drove on and flanker Martin Horner touched down. Frost converted.

S&E are away on Saturday to Thurrock in their 13th league game of the season. Then on Sunday week, S&E welcome Old Reigations to Rugby Lane in the Surrey Cup 1st round.

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