News & match reports

20-21 February match reports
23rd February 2010

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Seniors

Saturday 20 February 2010

Lewes 1st XV vs Warlingham 1st XV
Score: 0 - 36
Report by Dereck Wade
Photographs: Jez King

This was Lewes's heaviest defeat since the opening game of the season, as they were overwhelmed by a superior Warlingham team against whom they had narrowly lost to at home by only one point.

With a much heavier pack, in which the two giant second rows and the strong back row were outstanding, Lewes had few opportunities to win good ball, and it was no surprise that the home side had some 85% of the possession and 75% of the territory, enabling them to attack the visitors at will.

On the rare occasions Lewes did win the ball, they either squandered it by unforced errors, or gave away turnover ball to the opposition, as a result of which no real scoring opportunities came their way.

Warlingham opened the scoring after only 7 minutes when their influential captain, flanker Tom Street, dived over for a try, converted by fly-half Joe Chivers, to make it 7 – 0 to the hosts. Following a series of missed tackles, the hosts were able to extend this to 14 – 0 after 21 minutes, their No. 8 Mark Macaskill scoring near the posts , with Chivers again converting.

On the half-hour, Warlingham scored their third try, when fly-half Ryan Walsh crashed through poor Lewes defence to score under the posts, Chivers adding the easy conversion. Lewes`s misery continued up to the half-time whistle, as the Surrey side cruised to a 26 – 0 lead, winger Jon Osbourne scoring an unconverted try just before the break.

The only consolation for Lewes in the second half was that, with the slope and with Warlingham obviously resting on their laurels, they prevented what could have been a slaughter in only conceding a further 10 points before the end of the match.

A second, unconverted try by No 8, Macaskill, two minutes into the second half, was followed by a scrambled touch-down by Walsh after a chip-and-chase for their final, unconverted try, to seal Lewes`s misery at 36 – 0.

Lewes were somewhat unfortunate not to get onto to the scoreboard when scrum-half Charlie Terry charged down inside Warlingham's 22 metre area on 65 minutes to score what appeared to be a perfectly good try. However, after protests from the hosts, the referee reversed his decision, stating that Terry had been held up in the tackle – something the crowd of Lewes supporters, and many others, hotly disputed, but to no avail.

This was a lesson for Lewes in how to secure, and then make the most of, possession, as well as defending to the hilt, and they will have to improve markedly in these areas if they are to maintain their current position of fifth in this highly competitive League.

Lewes squad: Andre, Denslow, Mason, Brant, Hamer (Capt.), Arbuthnot (Williams), Blunt, Ridley, Terry, Matatumua, Halpin (Tudor), Bell, Sharp, Mills, Hutchinson

Next week, Lewes begin a sequence of three successive home games, starting next Saturday against fast-improving Old Reigatians – the team immediately below them in the League, so this is a crunch, “four pointer” encounter, k.o. 2.30pm.

On Friday evening (26th. February) Lewes will showing the big Six Nations clash between Wales and France live on their big screen, starting at 7.00pm.

Sunday 21 February 2010

Women XV

Lewes ladies vs Hampstead ladies
Score: 0 - 38
Report by Alice Hannon

Mud, glorious mud greeted Lewes on Sunday for their first match of the season against the unbeaten Hampstead ladies.

After a brief attempt at clearing some of the larger lakes on the pitch with buckets, the game commenced with some strong defensive play from the Lewes ladies. Despite the thick and unforgiving mud, the Lewes pack dominated the scrums (even after some fear was expressed at the sight of the two 6 foot Hampstead Locks).

Hampstead’s Number 8 carried the team to a hatrick of converted tries in the first half. Lewes neared their line on several occasions but struggled to keep hold of a particularly slippery ball, and faced some very smart kicking from the Hampstead Full Back.

Centres Jen "Flea" Laing and Anita "Nini" Hillman ran some excellent lines, and fly-half Heather Shaw gracefully negotiated the swamp-like-pitch to chase down their wingers on several occasions. Winger Lucy Stewart was particularly unphased by the terrain!

The second half was extremely tough – Lewes worked solidly to defend their line, matching Hampstead’s slick organization. Flanker Robynne Keen pierced their defense repeatedly, but Lewes failed to put a score on the board.

Much to be learnt from this challenging game, but a very brave and honorable performance from an ever-improving Lewes team.

The next ladies game is at home against Marlow on 7 March, 2pm - support is most welcome!

Juniors

Lewes Colts

Due to inclement weather conditions today’s Colts game against Eastbourne was called off because of safety concerns.

Date for your diary:

Please note that next week 28th Feb the Sussex Champions (Lewes U 17’s) are playing in the next round of u17s national cup against Hampshire champions (Havant). Kickoff is at 14:00 and your support would be appreciated.

Under 13

Lewes U13 vs Hove U13
Score: 3 - 10
Report by Ron Sillett

This was our first competitive game this year not having played since 13th December 09; but what a close encounter in torrential rain on a soggy pitch and a piece of soap as a ball . Hove started with lots of pressure but Lewes as a team forced Hove back to their 25 and conceded a penalty in front of the posts which Albert Harvey kicked. For the rest of the first half both teams were very even but Hove had a break away try in the corner in the last minutes which was not converted. The second half still being played in torrential rain saw Lewes start with a lot more aggression with every player doing his bit especially Robert Fogerty spoiling their forward play helping to gain a lot more territory than Hove but in the closing minutes Hove scored another brake away try not converted. This was a great game to watch in spite of the conditions.

Lewes are away with another rescheduled league game at Chichester next Sunday.

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