Sutton & Epsom have reached rugby union's Surrey Cup final after beating Richmond 16-13 under the Rugby Lane floodlights on Friday evening.

In a heroic performance, no-one epitomised Sutton's efforts more than giant prop Graham Hill, back after two months out with a serious ankle injury, who steadied the scrum and made several breaks.

Hardly able to walk as he was helped from the pitch with 15 minutes left, Hill was helped from the pitch to watch his team complete a famous victory over previously unbeaten opposition, Sutton's first in 11 meetings since 2001.

Coaches Martin Knights, Jimmy Joyce and Rowland Cheall came up with a plan to prevent Richmond from getting into a rhythm, getting into the faces of the London One leaders.

Remarkably Sutton opened the scoring after seven seconds.

Luke Cousins' clearance kick was charged down by Sutton scrum-half Steve Munford, who caught the ball and score wide on the left, with Joe Goatley converting.

Goatley and Matt Hart exchanged penalties shortly after but Sutton kept Richmond pinned back, centres Bryan Milne and Jake Webber combining with fly half Goatley to snuff out Richmond's pacey centres.

Captain James Clark and flankers Micky Ponting and Felix Symonds were getting to the breakdown to prevent Richmond from getting quick hall, while wings Lyndon Burrell and Rory Brabant, who very nearly got clear for a try, made big hits and devastating breaks.

Full-back Steve Warnham took the high ball superbly and made hits well above his weight.

It wasn't until the 25th minute that Richmond created a try - and that was from a 5m catch and drive from the pack - but Hart missed the conversion.

A few seconds later, Richmond's centres fielded a kick out of defence and showed what they could do given space, speeding down the left wing for centre Andy Saunders to score.

Again Hart missed the conversion, but Richmond now had the lead and their supporters confidently expected them to overwhelm Sutton.

However Sutton dominated the rest of the first half, with locks Jason Ford and Adam Blissett cleaning up in the line-out, props Hill and Gary Nash plus hooker James Bennett solid in the tight.

Goatley kicked a penalty just before the break to level the score at 13-13.

All the early second-half pressure came from SUtton, who retook the lead through another Goatley penalty after five minutes.

Sutton continued to control the remainder of the match, youngster David Crowest coming on at number eight to replace Symonds with Clark moving to the flank, Daymien Clydesdale taking over from Nash and Craig Bellringer from the now struggling Hill, Chris Pointing coming on on the flank.

When Burrell aggravated an ankle injury scrum half, Munford moved out on the wing and young Frankie Murray came on at scrum half .

Despite all the changes Sutton continued to play with huge concentration and fire to pin Richmond back and they were reduced to two long range penalty attempts in the eighth and ninth minute of injury time from Hart, both of which missed.

Sutton will face Chobham in the final at Met Police's Imber Court ground on April 6. Chobham beat London South Africans 37-7 in their semi-final.

Their next league game is at Worthing on March 29.