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SUTTON & EPSOM RFC 2026-27 SEASON Regional TWO South East vs Battersea Ironsides

03 October 2026

Cuddington Court, Rugby Lane, Cheam, Surrey SM2 7NF 020 8642 0280 suttonrugby.co.uk

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Welcome to S&ERFC The warmest of welcomes from SERFC to all those participating in or attending this match in the Regional 2 South East league. The 2026-27 season brings new fixtures, several with old friends and rivals, others with new clubs whom we have not met (at least in League Rugby) at 1st XV level before. But wherever they hail from, and whoever they are, our opponents and all visitors will always be warmly greeted at Rugby Lane. During the extraordinary summer of 2026, the Club has busied itself in te never-ending business of development and refurbishment. Amongst the improvements to the infrastructure are the new easy access facilities which have been financed by means of an appeal which was generously responded to by numerous members. Although the primary purpose of the appeal was to better enable our visually impaired sportsmen to navigate the contours of the Club, others of us are also grateful for having fewer steps to negotiate en route from the Clubhouse to the pitch! On the topic of generosity, no club of our size and status could survive in the modern age without the support of sponsors. Each of our sponsors is represented by an advertisement in this programme. Foremost amongst them is our headline sponsor: MB Associates, the company whose Managing Director is the redoubtable Monica Bradley. The Club is very grateful to all its sponsors for their continuing support - and I take the opportunity to remind all members that sponsorship is a two-way street: the more business Club members give to our sponsors (often on advantageous terms), the more that entrenches the relationship between the sponsors and the Club - to the advantage of both. Not only has the Club’s infrastructure undergone improvements over the summer break, so, too, recruitment has been positive in all sections of the Club. The women’s section played last year in the dizzying heights of Women’s Championship South 1, following their promotion the season before. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing skills and fitness levels in the women’s game proved too much for our women to match – but they have learned a great deal from being exposed to such a level. They will be back. Despite the vagaries of the last season, the men’s section have a highly experienced, skilled, and motivated coaching-team under the guidance of Paul Hodgson who combines the experience of being an ex-England international with a family background that makes him a SERFC man “through and through”. The first XV compete in what is generally recognised as the most competitive league in level 6 – and the quality of the games they play is of a seriously high level. The Minis and Youth section continues to delight us all – what a fantastic contribution to the rugby community they make! We are also delighted to welcome our friends from the visually impaired sector, whose skill, dedication, and evident enjoyment prove (if proof were needed) that rugby really is a game for all. So, welcome once again. Let season 2026-27 be a season to remember at SERFC – for all the right reasons! John Hardy President @SuttonEpsomRFC Programme design: Haime & Butler. Editorial and statistics: Paul Beken & John Croysdill.

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Headline sponsor’s message

We are again delighted to be supporting S&ERFC in our tenth year as the headline sponsor. Our ongoing partnership with the club is a constant source of pride, both for myself and my team. To be a part of something that is such a cornerstone of the local community and is so inclusive, on so many different levels, is indeed a real privilege. As a business based in Cheam Village which has traded in Surrey for nearly twentyfive years, we share many of S&ERFC’s values. Therefore, it’s a great pleasure to be involved again this year, both from a sponsorship perspective but also with members of our staff yet again playing for some of the senior teams. Wishing everyone at the club all the best for the 2026-27 season, and of course enjoying some outstanding rugby in the coming months! Monica Bradley Managing Director MB Associates

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Sutton through the Ages The Sutton & Epsom club – just Sutton until the reorganisation of London in 1971, is one of the oldest clubs in England. The original club was formed in 1871, the year of the RFU’s foundation, and although Sutton’s forefathers disbanded a few years later, many of those pioneers joined forces with rugby enthusiasts in the Sutton Bicycle Club to bring rugby back to Sutton. And that is the club we know today. It was the autumn of 1880 and the club first took the field under the banner of Sutton Bicycle Club (Football Section) – hence the iconic and much-loved symbol of the pennyfarthing. And Sutton Football Club, as it soon became known, were quick to stamp their name on the football map, not only in the local area, but throughout the metropolis. Under the initial leadership of Yorkshireman Herbert Hooper, and later boosted by the arrival of international forwards Alfred Allport and George Fraser (the former Sutton born and bred) and a glittering array of backs, Sutton became a major force, capable of meeting and beating the likes of Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh, and even crossing the English Channel to beat the French Champions Stade Français in Paris. Thousands would flock to Grove Road, where a Sutton defeat was something of a rarity. Especially prized was the Surrey Challenge Cup, in which Sutton enjoyed a four-year stretch without defeat and once conceded not a single point in their triumphant cup run. One triumph coincided with the Victorian Era Exhibition at Earls Court in 1901, and there on a plinth in the Great Hall was the Surrey Cup itself, with Sutton’s name engraved upon it, alongside the Calcutta Cup recently won by England. The Great War brought an end to Sutton’s dominance on the field – but not the growth of the club itself. The present Cuddington Court clubhouse was purchased in 1937 and the club resolutely stayed afloat during the war years, taking on the All Black and Wallaby inspired Royal Australian and New Zealand Services XV stationed in England. The president of the RFU opened the War Memorial stand in 1961 and within 30 years additional pitches had been purchased at Priest Hill, just half a mile away, reflecting the growth in playing numbers. By 1987 leagues were upon us and it was a proud boast that Sutton, who had been placed in level five London One, retained their place in the top regional division for fully 18 years. There was also another period of dominance in the revived Surrey Cup, with seven cup triumphs in eleven appearances in the final. By 2019 Sutton had advanced to the National League Division Two. However, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and the club are now plying their trade in Regional 2 South East this season. Such is the vibrant state of Sutton rugby today that it can now claim the distinction of being one of the biggest clubs in the country, with over 2,000 playing and social members. It can put up to 25 sides in the field every weekend, with minis from U5 to U11, youth sides for boys and girls from U12 to U18, a flourishing Womens XV, competing in the Women’s Championship South 1, and five men’s sides, including the flagship 1st XV, whose achievements over the past few seasons have been among the finest in a history spanning 140 years. We are reminded of those words of another Sutton scribe, who wrote: “We have in our hands a precious legacy… it isn’t ours to keep, but it is something to make the most of when it is our turn and cherish, sustain and strengthen for future generations.”

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Who plays where

Battersea Ironsides Openview, Burntwood Lane, London SW17 0AW Tel. 020 8874 9913 ironsidesrugby.com Beckenham The Clubhouse, Balmoral Avenue, Beckenham BR3 3RD Tel. 020 8650 7176 beckenhamrfc.com Brighton Waterhall Playing Fields, Waterhall Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 8YR Tel: 01273 562729 brightonblues.co.uk Bromley Barnet Wood Road, Hayes, Kent BR2 7AA Tel: 020 8462 3430 bromleyrfc.org Cobham Memorial Ground, Fairmile Lane, Cobham KT 11 2BU Tel: 01932 864441 cobhamrugby.co.uk Dartfordians War Memorial Clubhouse, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1LW Tel: 07707 039784 dartfordiansrfc.co.uk Gravesend The Rectory Field, Donald Biggs Drive, Gravesend DA12 2TL Tel. 01474 534840 gravesendrfc.co.uk Hammersmith & Fulham Hurlingham Park, Hurlingham Road, Fulham, London SW6 3RH Tel. 07752 747027 fulhamrugby.co.uk Horsham Coolhurst Ground, Hammerpond Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6PJ Tel: 01403 265027 horshamrufc.com Medway Priestfields, Rochester ME1 3AD Tel. 01634 847737 mrfc.net 0ld Elthamians Queen Mary’s University (East) Sports Ground, Perry Street, Chiselhurst, BR7 6HB pitchero.com/clubs/oldelthamians

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L I V E L O V e B L E E D R U G B Y. C O M

Regional 2 South East Table 2025-26 Final Standings P

Diff

Pts

Sidcup

767

377

390

Brighton

817

567

250

Gravesend

689

505

184

Horsham

770

620

150

Old Colfeians (P)

709

615

Battersea Ironsides

660

708

-48

Sutton & Epsom

652

594

Beckenham

666

545

121

Bromley

628

756

-128

Canterbury ®

532

705

-173

Dartfordians

594

846

-252

Old Reigatian

369

1015

-646

Sidcup: Automatic promotion to Regional 1 South East as Champions. Old Reigatian: Automatic relegation to Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex. Old Colfeians (P) = Promoted via play-offs: Amersham & Chiltern 24 Old Colfeians 27. Canterbury ® = Relegated via play-off: Canterbury II 20 Dartfordians 22. The above four clubs are replaced by: Medway: Automatic relegation from Regional 1 South East with Shelford. Hammersmith & Fulham: Automatic relegation from Regional 1 South Central with Camberley. Old Elthamians: Automatic promotion as Champions of Counties 1 Kent. Cobham: Automatic promotion as Champions of Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex. Welcome to the New Boys Cobham But for the 21-10 win over Hove on 29th November that failed to register a bonus point Cobham would have recorded a perfect season. However, winning all 20 matches and finishing on 99 points and scoring 920 points was indeed an annus mirabilis. It is a most welcome return for the men from the Memorial Ground who last played in this league in 2023-24 when they were relegated alongside London Cornish. Hammersmith & Fulham This season will be the first time that Sutton & Epsom have played a 1st XV league fixture against Hammersmith & Fulham. In 2022-23 whilst the Black & Whites endured a miserable campaign finishing bottom by a distance the residents of Hurlingham Park were winning Regional 2 Thames to leapfrog us into Level 5 where they enjoyed three campaigns. Last Saturday the Black & Whites kicked off their campaign with a 35-33 bonus point win in the inaugural match with Hammersmith & Fulham. Medway Medway were the Regional 2 South East Champions in 2024-25 following a wonderful winning streak at the end of that season. Sadly, it was the briefest of visits to the rarefied atmosphere of the upper echelons. S&E have the opportunity to renew their rivalry and spectators might recall a couple of thrilling encounters at Priestfields where the Black & Whites have narrowly been defeated twice. Old Elthamians It has been a case of onward and upward for Old Elthamians with not only three promotions on the spin but also a cup treble. Sutton last played them in 2011-12 when they were also on a rapid rise before their dramatic fall from grace in a manner similar to Mounts Bay and East Grinstead.

Old Colfeians Triumph on the Road Whilst Sutton & Epsom were embroiled with a fight for survival with the re-arranged Canterbury fixture, Old Colfeians had squeezed into the post-season by finishing the campaign in fifth place in the table. The Horn Park men were the lowest seed and this meant any match they would contest would be an away fixture for them. Their Journey To Level 5 Regional 2 South East Brighton (2) 33 Old Colfeians (5) 39 Old Colfeians 29 Horsham (3) 17 Gravesend (Home) 22 Gravesend (4) 38

Old Colfeians (Away)

Regional 2 South Central Winchester (2) 36 Petersfield (5) 29 Winchester 52 Winchester Wimborne (3) HWO Wimborne 22 Old Tiffinians (4) Westcliff defeated Amersham & Chiltern 31-30 to retain their Level 5 status

The Final Play-Off Amersham & Chiltern 24 Old Colfeians 27

Quite remarkably several teams declined to play in the first round of the play-offs considering that the fixtures were contests they had fulfilled as part of the regular season. Aylesbury bailed in the second round presumably because they only went through the first match because Newbury Blues threw in the towel faster than the Mighty Ducks. Such an attitude was anathema to the Old Colfeians. For the fourth time of asking the charabancs went in convoy to another destination, Ash Grove, to support the underdogs against Amersham & Chiltern. Trailing 17-10 at the break OCs fought back to win 27-24. Tries from Bamidele Agorioge, Ryan Napper and a brace from Charlie Parker saw the Kent side home. Once again the reliable boot of Ryan Napper made a telling contribution whilst Abdoul Bantango put in a storming ‘Man of the Match’ performance. The play-off system has its detractors as illustrated by the continuing plague of walkovers and Old Colfeians finished 27 points behind champions Sidcup which might upset the purists. However, only the coldest heart would not acknowledge what a tremendous performance it was by them to win not one but four play-offs and every one of them away from the comforts of Horn Park. Everyone at Rugby Lane offers our congratulations and best wishes for this season to the Colfeians though those who have visited their clubhouse will lament the loss of a popular and most hospitable host from our league fixture list.

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Community Rugby Season Delay: RFU Statement On 14th August 2026 the RFU issued a statement on the delayed start of the competitive community rugby season. The statement is as follows: After careful consideration and extensive consultation with clubs across England, we have decided to delay the start of the competitive community game season until the week commencing Monday 21 September. We appreciate this will be disappointing news to clubs, players and volunteers who have been getting ready for and looking forward to the new season but there are a range of factors we’ve considered carefully before making this decision. Executive Summary: What this Means for Rugby National League Rugby (NLR) can make a decision subject to RFU oversight on RFU Men’s League matches at National League 1&2 to take place before 21 September. No competitive matches in RFU Men’s leagues at Regional 1 and below or RFU Women’s Leagues below PWR level will take place before 21 September. Merit leagues are governed by Constituent Bodies (CB). Fixtures due to take place before 21 September are subject to any CB decision, considering any RFU guidance at the time. Age grade matches in RFU competitions due to take place before 21 September have been postponed with details below of alternative dates Friendly matches, where possible due to local conditions, player readiness and safety, may go ahead in order to help prepare players for the competitive season. Training can continue but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and RFU guidance is followed on modifying contact activity on hard grounds. All rugby activity, including that taking place outside of RFU league matches is subject to continual review and the RFU expects to issue further guidance to clubs, CB’s, schools, colleges and universities in the coming weeks or when new information is available. Why We’re Making this Call Now As outlined in our recent guidance on managing pitches and training in drought conditions, prolonged dry weather has left many grounds across the country hard and unsuitable for safe full-contact activity. With no meaningful or lengthy spells of rain currently forecast, these ground conditions are not expected to improve significantly in the short term. With this in mind, we have taken the decision to delay and to give everyone certainty now. We understand a delayed start has real practical implications – travel bookings, catering and food orders, volunteer planning and more - and we know volunteers always value as much time as possible to plan around a confirmed date rather than a moving target.

This decision has been made on three grounds: Player Welfare: Hard, dry pitches increase the risk of injury, particularly in the opening weeks of the season when players are returning to full contact. We recognise that many clubs have had to limit contact training in pre-season training due to the pitch conditions. We want players to return to competition safely and adequately prepared. Competition Integrity: Starting the season on pitches that aren’t fit for purpose risks uneven conditions and disruption across fixtures as well as offering advantages for those clubs able to prepare players during pre-season using Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP) – undermining fair competition from the outset. Planning: A clear, decisive two-week delay gives clubs, schools, colleges and universities the certainty needed to plan training, fixtures, travel and logistics with confidence. What this Means for Adult Competitions All fixtures in men’s leagues at Regional 1 level and below due to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by Regional Organising Committees (ROC). It is expected that the November break remains in place. All fixtures in women’s leagues below PWR currently scheduled to take place before 21 September should not go ahead as planned; these matches will instead be rearranged by RFU Competitions. Local merit leagues and merit tables are governed and administered by Constituent Bodies under the overarching authority and general regulations of the RFU. CBs, Competition organisers and clubs playing in these leagues will be provided with the suggested guidance from the RFU in regard to the start to the season. Training can continue in the meantime, but it is important pitch safety is assessed before every session and continue to follow our guidance on modifying contact activity on hard grounds – including greater use of ACTIVATE, avoiding repeated practices that take players to ground, and considering Rugby 365 AGP hire where available.

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The Janus View Looking Back at 2025-26 and Forward to this Season. If rugby players are whimsically referred to as egg-chasers then S&E were in pursuit of one of the curate’s variety. Sutton’s season was more like the Big Dipper than a roller coaster. It began with a thrilling ascent to the highest point by Round 6. It continued with a rapid and accelerating descent to the backdrop of some screaming participants. It concluded with a gentle finish, arms triumphantly aloft as they passed through the water hazard for their smiling group photograph on crushing Canterbury. The early absence of Captain Bunting had no obvious deleterious effect upon the team’s performance or morale. This was in great part due to not only the leadership but also the prowess of Ewan McTaggart who seamlessly took over the reins of power. The gargantuan lock effortlessly guided the team to the summit. His own form was rewarded with an international debut for ‘Die Schwarzen Adler’ (‘The Black Eagles’) in Germany’s historic victory over Romania by 30-24 in the REC. There was little to offset that dolorous comparison between the heady optimism that greeted the start of the season and the anxiety that enveloped the Rugby Lane faithful in the latter stages of the campaign. Without equivocation the XV could demonstrate fabulous form as illustrated by 99 tries by the end of the campaign. In contrast, the defence could mirror Horatio at his most impregnable and the Keystone Cops in the same afternoon. Like many clubs there was mitigation. Potency had been added pre-season on the wings with the return of Archie Fitzgerald and a welcome for Tom Lennard’s childhood friend Agu Benson. Sadly, both wingers notched up only seven appearances before injury concluded their seasons prematurely. In addition, the squad lost the powerful ball-carrying prop Callum Gibson in the pre-season. Squad depth, consistent selection and dependable availability bring great rewards at Level 6 and the most successful clubs can boast these three most valuable attributes. The opening of LP Hartley’s ‘The Go-Between’: “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there” is most appropriate at this time of year. Last season is consigned to history and one hopes that lessons have been learned that will transform S&E in this new season. The spirited display against Canterbury Pilgrims, when the pressure was at its greatest, bodes well for 2026-27 as it demonstrated the steely determination and game management that the squad will want to carry into this campaign. The club needs only to glance at Old Colfeians’ triumphant progress through the play-off rounds to appreciate what can be achieved. Once more the dedicated travelling supporters will enjoy the peregrination of Kent with Medway and Old Elthamians joining our happy band to offset the departure of the Garden of England trio of Sidcup, Colfeians and Canterbury. Wherever one sits on the scale of optimism one aspect has universal support and that is that Regional 2 South East is a most competitive league. The season commenced last Saturday, later than expected, due to the problems of the drought. The RFU statement that outlines the reasoning appears earlier in this programme.

The League Round Up It is a personal lament that local newspapers have declined in popularity and circulation with the knock on effect that coverage of games is rare. Match reports are few and far between leaving one nostalgic for those literary gems of bias that were penned by authors with the soubriquet of ‘Cyclops’. Sutton had a season at Level 4 where regulations dictated a more comprehensive approach. A match report with disciplined strictures was submitted to The Rugby Paper on Saturday evening after the game. GMS demanded that the tedious process of recording every score, penalty attempt and interchange was included with the result. Even fifty years ago Sutton’s matches had reports in The Herald, The Advertiser and The Comet. So it is with much gratitude that I tank the likes of Kent Online, any local paper or dedicated enthusiasts that post on the ubiquitous club websites. Round 1 Brighton 44 Old Elthamians 27 Old Elthamians returned to Level 6 after their recent hiatus having last appeared in 2011-2 when they were promoted behind Guernsey. OEs had the consolation of a bonus point as the Blues maintained their dominant form at Waterhall. Bromley 33 Battersea Ironsides 27 This afternoon’s opponents started their campaign at the Warman Sports Club, as had S&E last season, but returned to Battersea with a couple of points as the hosts enjoyed a winning start to the season. Cobham 24 Gravesend 48 After a couple of seasons in Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex the Memorial Ground, who feasted on a diet of constant success last season, had a taste of life back in Level 6 with the challenging visit of Gravesend who finished the season strongly with the reward of the playoffs. It was a chastening experience for the new boys as they tasted defeat for the first time in over a season. Darfordians 21 Beckenham 60 Dartfordians were popular winners of the inaugural relegation play-off last time when they defeated the Pilgrims 22-20. No doubt all those at Bourne Road will not want to see a repeat of that drama. Beckenham endured a season riddled with injuries at the last time of asking and will be delighted to have had such a comprehensive victory to start this season. Medway 36 Horsham 29 After a solitary campaign in Level 5 Medway, league champions in 2024-5, returned with a home fixture against Horsham, another club recently familiar with a loftier status. The Priestfields crowd enjoyed a 5-point start to the season against the Sussex side who will, no doubt, be in the upper reaches of the table once more this campaign.

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Player Profile: Thomas Boaden The Versatile and Resilient Front Row Season 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total

Appearances 21 (1) 20 (1) 20 (9) 18 (6) 20 (7) 1 (1) 100 (24)

Tries 2 3 1 1 3 0 10

Debut 25th September 2021 Sutton & Epsom 31 Sidcup 31 (HT 14-17) Hurley (4c;1p), Meeson, Cooksammy, See, Ghumra (1t), Lennard (1t), Clemett, Mount, Farrell (1t), Lloyd, Harwood, Drye ©, Coombes, London, Whitaker (1t). Reps: Boaden, Caddy and Parsons.

Thomas Boaden was forged in the West Country, a region famed for its front row heritage, being educated at the Ridings High School in Bristol and Plymouth University. He started playing for his village club Frampton Cotterell RFC rising to 1st XV status. After a degree in Media Arts and a Masters in Creative Writing he joined Thornbury RFC. He was not a parochial man and headed out to the Antipodes. His peregrination started at the historic Balmain RFC in the Sydney 1st Grade in 2016 before crossing the Tasman Sea to Queenstown and Wakapitu RFC the following season where he won the Central Otago Premier Division. With his glowing rugby CV he returned to Blighty to enjoy the undoubted charms of Barnes RFC where he was a replacement against the Black & Whites during our thrilling 23-17 National 2 win at Rugby Lane. After the Covid hiatus Thomas arrived in Cheam to play for Sutton & Epsom. He made his debut off the bench in a thrilling 31-31 affair, the highest scoring draw in the club’s league history, against Sidcup at the start of the 2021-2 campaign. As you can see from the statistics above like fellow props Adrian Jenkins (Centurion Number 1) and Raynn Bruce, despite the physical demands of the front row, Thomas appears in a remarkably high percentage of matches in a 22-game season. Thomas is an ‘Innovation Funding Consultant’ and like Dr Raynn Bruce it could be said that he is a smidgen ahead of his contemporaries intellectually. Whether it is a measure of his intellect or a sad reflection of the limitations of his peers the coach quiz had to be amended due to ‘Professor’ Boaden winning every time. The current format is in the style of ‘Pointless’. However, his greatest cultural impact, apart from his waistcoats, is his superb singing voice, akin to Adrian Jenkins of yesteryear, as he entertains everyone on the return leg of the fun bus. On a more sombre note before every match he writes the initials of three erstwhile teammates who were sadly taken too young: HT (Holua Tonga); PM (Phil Murphy) & ET (Euan Thomson). The initials not only honour their memory but also remind him that you never know when you have played your last game of rugby. His father is a most accomplished Cornish Pilot Gig racer having won the Bermuda International Regatta series and completed the Eddystone 28-mile Sea Race Challenge on his star-studded CV. His mother’s sporting talents lie in the more gentile pursuit of bowls where she represented Gloucestershire. The same cannot be said for Thomas’ girlfriend. For spectators with a keen eye, and when her season permits, they may have noted Liz Crake in the crowd. One hopes that there is a little space in their trophy cabinet for his Centurion cap amongst her many honours. She captained Wasps in their last season and has twice been a Grand Slam winner with the Red Roses as well as being a Premiership Cup winner in 2025 and Premiership winner in 2026 with Saracens. It was a rather pleasing moment of happenstance that his 100th appearance was at Hammersmith & Fulham where Jason Leonard is the Club President. Everyone at Rugby Lane wishes him many more appearances and hopefully more additions to the family trophy cabinet.

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The Battersea Ironsides Connection Sutton & Epsom playing against Battersea Ironsides has a league history that reflects Sutton’s residency in Regional 2 South East. P6

L3 F144 A164

However, the Black & Whites did play the Ironsides in the Surrey Cup that had been joyously resurrected in the 1970-1 season. Belatedly our paths crossed on 13th October 1974 for a first round tie having lost 11-6 away to Cambridge City the previous day. Though the press devoted more column inches to the 2nd XV against Streatham-Croydon (Swallows v Scorpions), and the S&E U-6 Minahs against Purley, here is the report from The Herald: Sutton & Epsom 53 Battersea Ironsides 6 Although not at full strength because of injuries suffered in their game the previous day, Sutton & Epsom still cruised to a crushing win in their Surrey Cup, first round, clash on Sunday. Playing uphill in the first half, Sutton gained a half-time lead of 29-0 with tries from David Thompstone, Dave Harris, Roger Sinclair and David Owen (2); Paul Richards converted twice and Jerry Austin a third time and also kicking a penalty. In the second period Sutton went further ahead with tries by Steve Poole, Owen, Sinclair and Thompstone; one being converted by Richards. Ironsides came back with a converted try before Thompstone closed the scoring with a try converted by Richards. Last Season at Rugby Lane: Sutton & Epsom 27 Battersea Ironsides 38 The opening quarter was full of attacking intent by both teams that was met but sterling defence that thwarted fleeting moments of try-scoring potential for both XVs. A Tom Lennard penalty after 25 minutes broke the deadlock to give Sutton a 3-0 lead. However, a surging run, leaving one reflecting on a common phrase involving cutlery and a dairy product, tore Sutton apart and Lewis Waters put Battersea ahead 5-3. As the first period entered time added on the visitors added another try from a stunning break from Dan Thomas with half-back partner Cameron Baker on hand to provide the coup de grâce for a 12-3 lead at the break. Sutton & Epsom began the second half with relish. An arcing run by Lennie fed Ghumra and the winger, with plenty to do, sped down the line to score. However, a catch and drive was controlled by the Battersea pack and Raph Arboine was on hand to score to restore the Ironsides advantage as they led 19-8. Ten minutes later the whole nature of the fixture changed as Sutton scored twice in five magnificent minutes of rugby. The first from Captain Bunting and the second from Sam Lennie propelled S&E into a 20-19 lead. The men in Green replied as if insulted by the host’s effrontery. Tries from Charlie Craig and a brace from Amir Sultan ended the match as a contest. S&E had the consolation of a solitary bonus point when Dan Jones collected their fourth try in time added on for a defeat by 38-27. Sutton & Epsom O’Brien, Scott, Bibby, Bunting ©, Ghumra, Lennard, Lovatt, Boaden, Howes, Lennie, McTaggart, Glanville, Pulvirenti, Rea & Hegarty. Reps: Jones, Duey & Tame. Battersea Ironsides Diamond, Sultan, Bourke, Campbell, Craig, Baker, Thomas, Borup, Chetwynd-Milo, Chetwynd, Kemp, Wharton, Arboine, Chitan © & Charles. Reps: Jones, McCleary & Waters.

Regional 2 South East Table 2026-27 P

Diff

Pts

Beckenham

Gravesend

Brighton

Medway

Bromley

Sutton & Epsom

Hammersmith & Fulham

-2

Battersea Ironsides

-6

Horsham

-7

Old Elthamians

-17

Cobham

-24

Dartfordians

-39

This Afternoon’s Games: Sutton & Epsom v Battersea Ironsides; Beckenham v Brighton; Dartfordians v Bromley; Gravesend v Hammersmith & Fulham; Horsham v Cobham; & Old Elthamians v Medway. Next Round (10th October): Medway v Sutton & Epsom; Beckenham v Old Elthamians; Brighton v Gravesend; Bromley v Hammersmith & Fulham; Cobham v Battersea Ironsides & Dartfordians v Horsham.

1st XV Fixtures Regional 2 South East 2026-27 Sep 26 A H’Smith & Fulham

W 35-33

Dec 19 A Cobham

Oct 03 H Battersea Ironsides

Jan 09 H H’Smith & Fulham

Oct 10 A Medway

Jan 16 A Battersea Ironsides

Oct 17 A Bromley

Jan 30 H Bromley

Oct 24 A Gravesend

Feb 06 H Gravesend

Oct 31 H Horsham

Feb 13 A Horsham

Nov 14 A Old Elthamians

Feb 27 H Old Elthamians

Nov 21 H Beckenham

Mar 06 A Beckenham

Nov 28 H Cobham

Mar 20 H Dartfordians

Dec 05 A Dartfordians

Apr 03 A Brighton

Dec 12 H Brighton

Apr 10 H Medway

Regional 2 South East Sutton & Epsom RFC v Battersea Ironsides Saturday 3rd October 2026 – KO 3.00pm Your referee for today is: Alex Lambe (LSRFUR)

Sutton & Epsom

Battersea Ironsides

15.

Gareth O’Brien

Fullback

15.

Lewis Waters

14.

Finlay Scott

Wing

14.

Charlie Craig

13.

Adam Bibby

Outside Centre

13.

Ben Lyons

12.

Freddy Bunting

Inside Centre

12.

Freddie Eltringham

11.

Angus Findlay

Wing

11.

William Ford

10.

Tom Lennard

Fly Half

10.

Cameron Baker

Euan Findlay

Scrum Half

Matt Lane

Dan Johnson

Prop

Marcus Borup

Sam Lennie

Hooker

Caoimhghim Bradshaw

Tom Boaden

Prop

Evan Jones

Ewan McTaggart

Second Row

Harry Kemp

Josh Glanville

Second Row

Charlie Coleman

Dan Jones

Flanker

Oliver Lewis

Josh Rea

Flanker

Jack Bishop

Rob Hegarty (c)

No. 8

Alexander Chitan (c)

Replacements

16.

Eric Duey

16.

Quentin Batterbury

17.

Ben Tame

17.

Daniel McCleary

18.

Tipene Maxwell

18.

Matt Bell

Manager

John Croysdill

Jorge Campos

DoR

Andrew Spooner

Alex Hadley

Coaches

P Hodgson; M Crump; N Harris; S Munford

Shane Cooney

Physio

Rob Jenkins

TBC

Touch

TBC

Home-grown player

BUILDING SERVICES CONSULTANTS Bringing buildings to life

07815 908084 jon@fowlerclark.com 1-3 East Street Epsom Surrey KT17 1BB

fowlerclark.com

19 Dec 10 Oct

5 Dec

24 Oct

33-35

13 Feb

10 Oct

14 Nov 13 Feb

Cobham

Dartfordians

Gravesend

H’Smith & Fulham

Horsham

Medway

Old Elthamians

21 Nov

3 Apr 10 Apr

17 Oct

9 Jan

31 Oct

24 Oct 12 Dec 28 Nov

19 Dec 31 Oct

10 Apr

30 Jan

21-60

30 Jan 20 Mar

6 Mar

27 Feb

6 Feb

3 Oct

20 Mar

6 Feb

19 Dec

33-27

17 Oct

27 Feb

16 Jan

Bromley

Brighton

21 Nov 12 Dec

Beckenham

5 Dec

3 Apr

Brighton

14 Nov

6 Mar

Beckenham

Sutton & Epsom

16 Jan

3 Oct

Battersea Ironsides

Sutton & Epsom

2026-27

Regional 2 South East Dartfordians

Cobham

Bromley 10 Apr

3 Apr

14 Nov

6 Mar

10 Apr

13 Feb

3 Oct

5 Dec

24 Oct

17 Oct

9 Jan

21 Nov

12 Dec

6 Feb

10 Apr

30 Jan 28 Nov

6 Mar

3 Oct

12 Dec 27 Feb

9 Jan

13 Feb

31 Oct

20 Mar 16 Jan

14 Nov

28 Nov 24 Oct

9 Jan

30 Jan 28 Nov 20 Mar

Gravesend 9 Jan

Hammersmith & Fulham

27 Feb

30 Jan

3 Oct

14 Nov

6 Mar

19 Dec

24 Oct

5 Dec

14 Nov 30 Jan

16 Jan

3 Apr

24 Oct 19 Dec

17 Oct

5 Dec

36-29

17 Oct

3 Oct

9 Jan

20 Mar

16 Jan

20 Mar

6 Feb

27 Feb 28 Nov 21 Nov

10 Oct

16 Jan 21 Nov

3 Apr

24-48

44-27

10 Oct

12 Dec 31 Oct

19 Dec 13 Feb

3 Apr

6 Feb

10 Apr

Medway

10 Oct 21 Nov 27 Feb 12 Dec

6 Mar

13 Feb

Horsham 31 Oct

Old Elthamians

31 Oct

10 Oct

5 Dec

17 Oct 28 Nov

6 Feb

Results Grid

COME ALONG

SATURDAY MORNINGS

Player sponsorship MEN

WOMEN

Ewan McTaggart sponsored by Walbrook Law LLP

Zoe McTear sponsored by InTouch Capital Markets Ltd

Rob Hegarty sponsored by Esher Fireplaces

Anja Cooper sponsored by Delta Chocolate

Thomas Boaden sponsored by Ayming UK Ltd Eric Duey sponsored by C3 UnitedLife Ben Tame sponsored by Ridge Pete Gordon sponsored by Meraki Capital Euan Findlay sponsored by U16 Boys Angus Findlay sponsored by BOMAD Josh Glanville sponsored by Catalyst Comms

Men’s player sponsorship @ £350.00 covers cost of player’s membership, sponsor included in match programmes, club website and social media teamsheet and MOTM posts. Women’s player sponsorship @ £300.00 covers cost of player’s membership, sponsor included in match programmes, club website and social media teamsheet and MOTM posts. Enquiries: bob@haime-butler.com

Club structure

Main club contacts

PRESIDENT John Hardy

PRESIDENT John Hardy John.Hardy@3rblaw.com

LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS M Asten 2026 J J R Austin 1982 R J Cheall 2012 J Croysdill 2022 P J Dommersen 1985 Jackie Dowden 2009 J C Evans 2003 M Felstead 2025 A J Fernihough 2011 I M Frazer 2000 S Furnell 2026 R J Haime 2017 J Hardy 2010 N Harries 2005 D R S Harris 1976 D Hegarty 2015 G Howford 2022 J Hume 2001 M J Hunter 2000 P Jenkins 2007 D Kieran 2006 I M Lovatt 2001 Jo Martin 2009 I McGraw 2022

K Mohr 2022 Janet Moore 1990 D E Moore 2002 P J O’Hagan 2000 P O’Sullivan 2005 J Parsons 2013 P Phillips 2016 R R Poole 1998 J Potts 2025 G Purvis 2026 L H Quested 2003 R Reino 2016 Ann Saunders 2001 J R M Saunders 2004 S M Shaylor 2007 R J Sinclair 2000 A Spooner 2025 J A Tedder 2003 Ann Towers 2001 J N Vale 2000 K Webber 2025 A J Woods 1996 Rachel Wright 2009 G Yadoo 1976

CLUB OFFICERS Chair R Reino Honorary Secretary R Davies Assistant Secretary G Jones Honorary Treasurer TBC Chair Sponsorship & Marketing R Haime Chair House & Grounds TBC Director of Rugby A Spooner HONORARY TRUSTEES J J R Austin; J Parsons; G Hill

CHAIR Ryan Reino ryan.reino@blueyonder.co.uk 07734 452427 HONORARY SECRETARY Rob Davies robert.davies@walbrooklaw.com 07900 167376 ASSISTANT SECRETARY Garry Jones garry.jones@mac.com HONORARY TREASURER TBC serfctreasurer@outlook.com CHAIR SPONSORSHIP & MARKETING Bob Haime bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195 CHAIR HOUSE & GROUNDS TBC ryan.reino@blueyonder.co.uk CHAIR EVENTS Nick Corby nickcorby@hotmail.com MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Mark Asten suttonrugby.membership@gmail.com COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Bob Haime bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195 DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Andrew Spooner dor-serfc@outlook.com 07458 680767 HEAD COACH Paul Hodgson hodgey_no9@hotmail.com

1ST XV MANAGER John Croysdill johncroysdilljc@gmail.com 07852 487798

INTERNATIONAL TICKET SECRETARY Iain Frazer Iain.frazer@virginmedia.com 020 8643 4835

CLUB CAPTAIN Sam Palombo sampalombo98@gmail.com

WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Bob Haime bob@haime-butler.com 07702 419195

SENIOR FIXTURES SECRETARY Iain Frazer Iain.frazer@virginmedia.com 020 8643 4835 CHAIR WOMENS’ SECTION Zoe Smith Zoesmith1992@gmail.com WOMENS’ FIXTURES SECRETARY Anya Cooper sandeladiesrfc@gmail.com CHAIR MINI RUGBY Sam Gooder sgooder@aol.com 07968 180333 CHAIR JUNIOR RUGBY John Potts Johnpotts06@hotmail.co.uk 07769 941862 CHAIR JUNIOR GIRLS Steve Boardman S.boardman@bilendi.com MINIS FIXTURES SECRETARY James Teuten-Shaw fixturesec@serfcmini.co.uk CLUB COACHING CO-ORDINATOR Nick Harris nickaharris@gmail.com 07939 253649 SAFEGUARDING Kellie Rutledge kellie_rutledge@yahoo.co.uk 07808 719150 LSRFUR LIAISON OFFICER Dave Carty davidcarty08@icloud.com 07775 883939

CLUBHOUSE MANAGER Mollie Squires suttonrugbyclubhouse@gmail.com 020 8642 0280 HONORARY CHAPLAIN Rev Derek Brice derekbrice@blueyonder.co.uk 020 8642 0241 MAGPIES GOLF SOCIETY CAPTAIN Felix Symonds magpiesgolfsociety@gmail.com 07976 062567

CALLING ALL S&ERFC MEMBERS DO YOU PLAY GOLF? The Magpies are Sutton & Epsom RFC’s very own Golfing Society and all club members automatically qualify as members. You don’t need any particular high level of golfing skill although a sense of humour and ability to ‘lunch’ well will help! Come and join players, past and present, and enjoy your fantastically entertaining Golf Society – a warm welcome is assured. We have four meetings a year including the legendary Christmas meeting and Captain’s Away Day.

For further information contact:

Felix Symonds (Captain) 07976 062567 magpiesgolfsociety@gmail.com

Sponsorship We are always looking for new business partners with whom we can build relationships for long-term mutual benefit. In return, we can offer our sponsors a range of benefits, including opportunities to promote their business and their products, to generate direct sales via club membership and to entertain their clients, both at the club and at Twickenham. We have a range of packages available to suit all budgets and objectives. For an initial discussion, without obligation, please contact:

Bob Haime Chairman Sponsorship & Marketing 07702 419195 bob@haime-butler.com

All aspects of garden and tree work undertaken by fully insured, qualified and experienced professionals including: • Tree felling and pruning • Stump grinding • Driveway and patio installation • Paving and brickwork • Fencing and decking • Pond installation and maintenance • Turfing and landscaping • Water features • Garden maintenance

020 8254 9696 info@surreytreesandgardens.co.uk surreytreesandgardens.co.uk Maximum feedback scores on

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