Despite a 22-30 defeat, Sutton & Epsom can take positives from a vastly improved second-half performance against unbeaten Chobham.

Though suffering a third consecutive reverse that leaves them 11th in London Division One South, the afternoon ended on an upbeat note. The season, it seemed, had finally begun.

It should also be said in the first half there were many uncomfortable echoes from the horror show at Cobham the previous week – a confident start, early lead and unceasing commitment, for sure, but also a litany of sins with poor handling and an unconvincing line out.

And to cap it all, penalties were scattered around like confetti.

Being the competent side they are, Chobham soon began to control the game through their solid, cohesive pack and pace outside.

Sutton’s defence never caved in, but the visitors took full advantage of the profusion of penalties – 10 in the first half alone – and yellow cards to James Caddy and George London, to open up an 18-3 lead at the break. 

And hardly had the second-half begun than Chobham were through for a third try, and at 3-23 Sutton faced meltdown.

Yet in a transformation that was as stunning as it was unexpected, it was Sutton who finally found their inner steel, driving Chobham back, tightening up their discipline and prising open the Chobham defence on three occasions.

There was no hint of complacency on Chobham’s part, more that Sutton had rediscovered their mojo and were benefiting from their rigorous pre-season training, which has helped them win the second halves in all three league games.

First to profit was Steve Munford, who gathered up a charged down clearance to cross in the 51st minute.

And although Munford could not improve his own try, he did add the major points 20 minutes later when Frankie Murray chipped the defence, took full advantage of a fortuitous bounce and touched down for a second try.

Just eight points adrift with a few minutes remaining, and with Mike Blakeburn a dominating presence in the pack and the ubiquitous Caddy always leading from the front, Chobham were clearly rattled.

But fate was to intervene. Following mounting Sutton pressure, Caddy was obstructed from a chip ahead with the perpetrator evading censure, and worse was to follow.

Chobham seemed certain to be penalised for going over the top and killing the ball, but play was waved on and the visitors’ speed and opportunism produced a field-length try that won them a bonus point.

Undaunted, Sutton continued to press and were rewarded when a sweeping move down the right ended with James Matthews squeezing in at the corner.

Munford’s fine touchline conversion left Sutton an agonising eight points behind, thus depriving them of the bonus point they most certainly deserved.

Sutton & Epsom: Andy Nichols; Kyren Ghumra, Andy Matthews, Pete Matthews, James Matthews; Frankie Murray, Steve Munford; Tariq Al Khaldi, Dave Weller, Raynn Bruce, Mike Blakeburn, Jason Ford, Chris Pointing, George London, James Caddy.

Replacements: Craig Bellringer, Matt Harwood, Steve Warnham.

This Saturday, Sutton go to Gosport & Fareham, with a 3pm kick-off at Gosport Park.

The recently promoted Hampshire side are eighth with six points from three games.

They were beaten 25-30 at Hove on opening day, trimmed Havant by 27-18 in the Pompey derby and were well beaten at Twickenham (0-26) last Saturday.