Sutton & Epsom returned to winning ways in London Division Two South West thanks to a last-gasp 27-24 win over Portsmouth at Rugby Lane.

Despite being out-weighed by easily two stones per man by the powerful Hampshire side, some ferocious Sutton defence managed to pinch the game in the dying seconds.

Sutton had a great start catching the huge Portsmouth pack out and destroying them twice in quick succession.

Full back Ian Knott then fielded a high kick out of defence, ran round most of the Portsmouth team, chipped the full back and scored the open try after only two minutes - inside centre Steve Warnham converted.

Portsmouth then won a five metre line-out and their pack drove to the Sutton line for scrum half Jason Crabb to slip down the open side to get their first, and unconverted, try.

Sutton were still holding the powerful Portsmouth scrum and within five minutes they extended their lead when following a scrum on the visitors’ 22, Sutton spread the ball to the right and right wing Mike Cartledge sped round the defence to score wide out. 

The conversion attempt went wide, and then Portsmouth’s centre Andy Barnes kicked a penalty to keep his team in touch at half time, with Sutton leading 12-8.

By the second half, Portsmouth’s weight in the pack and the backs was beginning to put Sutton under enormous pressure but obdurate defence kept them out and after 15 minutes, they had only a Barnes penalty to show for huge efforts.

The visitors’ rolling maul was proving more and more effective though and Sutton did not help themselves by giving away a series of penalties, allowing Barnes to kick to the corner and eventually their pack drove in for replacement lock Ben Bottelberge to touch down. 

Barnes converted to give Portsmouth the lead for the first time. 

Sutton came straight back showing great handling and offloading skills to put left wing Charlie Purvis over in the corner. The conversion went astray but Sutton were now only one point behind. 

Warnham and Barnes then exchanged penalties before Barnes kicked what appeared to be the winning points for the visitors.

However, Sutton are made of sterner stuff these days and piled on the pressure. 

With two minutes to go, they were awarded a penalty 15 metres out - captain number eight Matt Whittaker took it quickly and breaking three tackles went in close to the posts. Warnham converted and Sutton held on for the win.

This Saturday, Sutton travel to Roehampton Vale to take on London Cornish, currently eighth in the league (kick off 2.30).