News & match reports
12 - 13 December match reports
14th December 2009
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Seniors
Saturday 12 December
Lewes’s brave showing ends in defeat
Hove v Lewes
Score: 23-0
Report by Dereck Wade
Photographs by Alan Page
In perfect conditions, this was an entertaining match between promotion-chasers Hove (a side sprinkled with former players from their opponents!) and local rivals Lewes, and at the half-time whistle, there was little to choose between the sides. However, Hove’s superior strength in the forwards enabled them to dominate possession and territory in the second half to secure the two points. To Lewes's credit, their disciplined defence and strong tackling prevented the hosts from running away with the game as they have done with other League opponents.
It took only two minutes for Hove to get on the scoreboard, after Lewes were penalised on their own 22 metre line for coming in at the side of a ruck. Influential fly-half Ben Coulson kicked over for an early 3 – 0 lead. The next 10 minutes saw Lewes pinned inside their own quarter after a series of strong forward drives from Hove, but their well-organised defence prevented any further score. On 19 minutes, a second penalty against Lewes was missed, and Lewes then hit back with a strong run down the left by winger Andy Freshwater which was halted by an offence from a Hove player, but the resultant penalty kick just slid wide of the posts.
Another similar attack by Lewes from the same player was stopped just short of the line, but at this stage of the game, the visitors were giving as good as they got, putting Hove under some pressure in their own half. The next few minutes saw little between the teams, until Lewes were once more penalised, this time for offside, on the 22 metre line, enabling Coulson to kick his second penalty and see his side go in with a slender 6 – 0 lead at the break.
The second half, however, saw Hove pull, away, and after only two minutes the lead became 9 – 0 with another penalty from 30 metres out by Coulson, whose experience of playing rugby at a higher level was now beginning to show, as he dictated the game for the home side.
Lewes' stalwart defence finally broke after 52 minutes when, after a controlled shove by the forwards towards the Lewes line, scrum-half Matt Sole picked up the ball and darted over for the opening try of the match, converted by Coulson, to stretch the lead to 16 – 0.
Hove were now well on top as their heavier pack began to dominate their opponents. With Lewes now tiring after their defensive efforts, a cross-kick from left to right by Coulson, behind Lewes' line, saw the ball somewhat fortuitously bounce into the hands of Hove centre Ryan Morlen to score in the corner after 64 minutes. Coulson`s conversion saw his team run out worthy winners by 23 – 0.
Although disappointed at the loss, Lewes can nevertheless see the positives in their defensive and line-out work, and a spirited team effort, for whom were flanker Rupert Arbuthnot and full-back Sam Hutchinson were particularly outstanding.
Lewes: Andre(Horscroft), Denslow, Read, Brant, Gorbell (Capt.), Arbuthnot, Blunt (Cartlidge), Ridley, Terry, Matatumua, Freshwater, Bell (Halpin), Sharp, Mills, Hutchinson.
On Saturday, Lewes host bottom-of-the table Eastbourne, k.o. 2.15pm.
Sunday 13 December
Lewes Ladies win battle at Barnes
Barnes Ladies v Lewes Ladies
Score: 10-21
Match report by Rab Willis
Lewes ladies brought home a convincing win away against Barnes ladies on Sunday. It was a gritty performance with the opposition only able to field 12 players. Lewes had to match numbers under league rules and, with an 18-strong squad, rolled subs throughout to keep players from getting cold on the sidelines!
The game was not easily won, despite fly-half Heather Shaw scoring the first of her hat-trick within minutes of kick-off. Barnes managed to dominate many parts of the game as Lewes were slow to come up in defence. Barnes scrum-half and inside centre were particularly quick to exploit Lewes gaps but Lewes's consistently hard tackles saved many of their attempts at breaking through.
Barnes' strong forwards managed to push the attack up to the try line, giving the home team scoring opportunities which they did not squander. Lewes fought hard, especially among a few controversial refereeing decisions which certainly limited their final score. However, it was Shaw's persistence and pace that she used to her advantage, ironically in backs moves that didn't go quite to plan! Jen ‘Flea Bug’ Laing converted all three to add much-needed points to the board. Prop Jules Scanlan won forward of the match for the unrelenting onslaught she launched on the opposition from the first kick-off. Shaw, who is settling into the fly-half role magnificently, took back of the match. Every player on that pitch should be proud though, it was a hard fought match and a bold display of confidence that is taking Lewes ladies up to a whole new level.
Lewes ladies end 2009 on a massive high, joint first in the National Challenge South East West 2 league. The ladies are back in action on the 10th January at home against Guildford, and welcome support!
Youth
Sunday 13 December
Colts news
The final of the U17 Sussex Cup was pushed over to be held in Hove next week instead of 13 December. Lewes take on Chichester.
Lewes U13s v Hastings U13s
Score: 17- 3
Report by Ron Sillett
Lewes started under a lot of pressure from Hastings for the first five minutes resulting in a penalty, From this point on Lewes did not look back with a great team display from all players in muddy conditions and a ball that was like a piece of soap. The pack did a lot spoiling of Hastings’ ball and wanted to be first to the ball. Alex Boyd and Logan Collins were playing with lots of aggressive forward running and James McKeown organizing the pack and with example doing some great penetrating runs. Fergus Wood went over for Lewes’s first try after some good passing along the line and dodging by him which was converted by Tom Derrick. James McKeown scored the second try with all the pack having a hand in getting the ball over the line.
In the second half Hastings were a little more composed and only let James over the line once after one of his penetrating runs. Fergus Wood at full back did some great defensive kicks putting Hastings back to there line and Olli Berry playing as stand in scrum half providing a safe pair of hands and one or two penetrating runs. It was a pleasure to watch this game showing that the squad has the ability to win league games after a disappointing start to the season and looking forward to Brighton next week.
Squad: Rory Bines, Tom Perkins, Elliot Wiseman, Alex Boyd, Logan Collins, Henry Coomber, James McKeown, Robert Fogerty, Olli Berry, Tom Derrick, Will Powell, Charlie Scates, Noah Tilling, JJ Will Hutt, Harvey Collier, George Richenberg .
Minis
Lewes RFC Minis played host to Tunbridge wells RFC at all ages, the normal joint training was followed by some 'friendly' games the results of which were as follows;
Under 12s
Lewes A 15 - 15 Tunbridge Wells A
Lewes B 0 - 15 Tunbridge Wells B
Under 11s
Lewes A 0 - 5 Tunbridge Wells A
Lewes B 5 - 0 Tunbridge Wells B
Under10's
Lewes Blues 0 - 20 Tunbridge Wells A
Lewes Whites 2 - 0 Tunbridge Wells B
Under 9s
Lewes A 25 - 15 Tunbridge Wells A
Lewes B 15 - 20 Tunbridge Wells B
Lewes C 10 - 10 Tunbridge Wells C
Under 8s
Lewes 15 - 25 Tunbridge Wells
Under 7s
No scores recorded
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