News & match reports

15 - 16 November match reports
19th November 2009

Seniors match report >>
Youth match report >>
Vice Presidents lunch commission bids appeal >>
More pictures >>

Seniors

Saturday 14 November

Lewes Loses by a Wet Whisker

Lewes 1st XV 7 v Warlingham 1st Xv 8
Report by Dereck Wade
Photography by Alan Page

Lewes’ winning streak at the start of the season has turned into a losing streak after this, their third defeat in succession, which sees them slip from third to fifth place in the League table. In gale-force conditions, with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch, Warlingham kicked off with the elements in their favour and not surprisingly kept Lewes restricted to within their own half for the first quarter of the match. But it was to the home side`s credit that they tackled and defended everything the Surrey side could throw at them, and sensibly refused to kick the ball unless it was safe to do so.
They managed to hold out until the 31st minute, when they were penalised on 33 metres for not releasing the ball, enabling Warlingham’s centre, Joe Chivers, to slot over for the opening score and see his side take the lead at 0 – 3.

Superb, controlled work by the Lewes forwards and organised defence by the backs prevented any further score, and Lewes turned round at the break with only those three points against them, which should have been a platform for a dominant second half with the wind at their backs.
Indeed, it only took Lewes nine minutes to get on the scoreboard and take the lead, following a well-worked move from a 30 metre scrum which saw the ball moved out to the right for full-back Sam Hutchinson to come crashing into the line for a fine try out wide, converted by outside-half Matt Adair to make it 7 – 3.

But instead of the expected flood of Lewes scores, Warlingham then tightened up their game, their strong pack beginning to win the rucks and mauls, keeping Lewes on the back foot, with little possession coming their way as a result. This pressure paid off on the hour when their No. 8, Ben Wiseman, crashed over out wide for a typical forward`s try, the conversion being missed, but putting his side back into the lead at 7 – 8.

This proved to be the end of the points, as Lewes managed to hold off their opponents until just before the final whistle, when they were awarded a penalty on 30 metres which unfortunately dipped under the post to see Warlingham run out winners by the narrowest of margins, a win which they deserved because of their second-half performance against the wind.

Lewes: Andre, Mason, Williams (Lundin), Gorbell (Capt.), Wynne, Brant, Arbuthnot, Ridley, Blunt, Adair, Mills (Halpin), Terry, Sharp, Howkins, Hutchinson (rep. not used: Read).

Lewes are without a game next Saturday as, owing to a fixtures error and a spate of injuries, they have had to pull out of the 1st Round of the Sussex Senior Cup.

15 November

Juniors

Lewes U15 v Hove U15
Susex Junior League
Score: 35-5
Report by Declan Dickens

The wind and rain abated for this match, with both teams still looking for their first league wins of the season. Other commitments and illness meant that Lewes could only just field a team against a strong Hove side but the game began in a positive enough way for the Lewes pack and forwards. Pushing Hove back to their 22 for several minutes however was not rewarded and instead after 10 minutes it was quick ball to the Hove wing that meant they scored the first of seven tries with no conversion.

This pattern continued with Lewes winning the scrum but losing possession and seeing quick passing to Hove wings on both sides of the park, and it was only 10 minutes later that Hove repeated the exercise making it 10 - 0 and after 30 minutes 15 - 0. Lewes heads dropped and allowed Hove to exploit this and ran in a further 3 tries in 10 minutes, seeing the score go to 30 - 0 by the time the half time whistle blew.

The second half began much better for Lewes who seemed to discover how to get back to basics and kept much of the ball and territory only to kick the ball into the hands of the Hove wing who ran in the 7th try no conversion. Lewes steadied themselves and began to put more pressure on Hove resulting in several penalties and a sending off for them. This pressure from Lewes was rewarded by an excellent run by Henry Sheill who scored a well-deserved try no conversion. Lewes man of the match was shared between Stewart Dickens and Xappho Patterson.

To see photos of this season’s games courtesy of Elliott’s Dad Rod, go to www.lewesrfcphotos.co.uk >>

Date for your diary

5th December 2009

Vice Presidents lunch at Lewes RFC

Commission bids for any of the lots on offer can be left behind the bar in the envelopes provided or bid by e-mail: kennygordon@f2s.com

Items on offer so far:

Case of Hepworths Blonde
Christmas cake homemade and decorated
Improve your golf with PSP trainer club (more details >>)
Three course Dinner for Two at Hilton Metropole Brighton
Case of Hepworths Pullman First Class Ale
Watercolour Painting by Graham Stevens (yes that old Prop)
Round of Golf for 4 People at the Highwoods golf club Bexhill.

PLEASE BID GENEROUSELY THE CLUB NEEDS YOUR DOSH

Article by 3

More Photos >>