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2nd November 2009
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Seniors
Last gasp attack sees Lewes totter
Lewes 1st XV v Tottonian 1st XV
Score: 32-33
Report by Dereck Wade
(Pictured right: Lewes and Tottonian: Two sides competing at the top of their respective Leagues.)
In this see-saw of a match, between two sides competing at the top of their respective Leagues, Lewes lost at the last gasp after squandering an early 20 – 11 lead in this second-round tie of the RFU Intermediate Cup. It was the visitors, however, who took the initial advantage, with a well-taken penalty from their full-back after some seven minutes to open the scoring at 0 – 3. But Lewes hit back 10 minutes later with a fine flowing move from deep, which saw the ball in the hands of speedy right-winger Steve Mills, who darted through the Tottonians defence to touch down for the opening try, unconverted, to see Lewes take the lead at 5 – 3.
This was extended to 10 – 3 seven minutes later, as flanker Tom Tudor out-foxed his opponents down the left-hand blind side to touch down in the corner, his unconverted try firmly placing Lewes in the ascendant at this point. Further tries from second-row Rob Wynne and No. 8 Matt Ridley, and a try and a second penalty to the visitors saw the home Club turn round 20 – 11 up at the half-time break.
The second half saw the resurgence of Tottonians, who began to win more possession, partly arising from forced changes due to injury in the Lewes ranks and some indifferent defence in midfield. As a result, their backs began to take control, moving the ball regularly along the line, stretching the Lewes defence to its limits. Further home tries from left-wing Dan Wade and full-back Will Bell, the latter converted by outside-half Matt Adair, were cancelled out by 3 unconverted tries for Tottonians, who pulled back to 32 – 26 with only a few minutes of the match left.
Although Lewes were visibly tiring by now, their large crowd of supporters nevertheless thought they could hold out for a victory, but, with the final whistle looming, a last-gasp attack by the Southampton-based side saw them work an overlap out left, ending with their centre touching down near the posts to make it 32 – 31, with only the conversion to come. But their full-back, whose kicking had proved the more consistent over the 80 minutes, slotted it over for the last move of the match to see his side nick the win by the closest of margins, 32 – 33.
Lewes: Read (Horscroft), Mason, Lundin (Lacy), Gorbell (Capt.), Wynne, Arbuthnot, Tudor (Blunt), Ridley, Blunt (Stewart),Adair, Mills, Terry, Sharp, Wade, Bell
Next Saturday, Lewes return to League duties with an away trip to Sevenoaks, k.o. 2.30pm.
Hove Vets v Lewes 3rd XV
Sussex Vase Round 1
Score:
Report by Steve Jackson
Lewes 3s visited Hove Vets in a Sussex Vase Cup match. The game started brightly for Hove with Lewes going to sleep letting their outside centre go over the Lewes line with gusto, and also adding the conversion to take a 7 - 0 lead. This woke Lewes up somewhat and they started to get in the game with the back line getting to grips with the ball. This was rewarded with a penalty, and what a penalty, it was just in Hove’s half! Outside centre Jordon Wythe coolly slotted the ball through the middle of the posts to get Lewes back in the game 7-3. Lewes’ front row of last year’s Colt Tom Shuttleworth, guided by veteran front rowers Stewart ‘Ginger’ Sheill and hooker Aidan Byrne were more competetive in the scrums this week and this showed in Lewes’ first half performance.
Hove started the second half as strongly as they did the first, again catching Lewes cold with tier backs passing the ball and scoring to extend there lead to 12-3. Lewes then woke up again, playing strongly as a team gaining more possession and this resulted in another penalty with Jordon Wythe kicking over again with ease. The scores now being 12-6, Lewes began to smell victory with only a try and a conversion to win and started to dominate in attack against a great defence from Hove.
Opportunities were still missed by Lewes and a little better decision making might have won the game but it wasn’t to be so Hove progresses into the 2nd round and another great advertisement for 3rd team rugby was enjoyed by all. Lewes can take heart in a much improved performance.
Man of the match was given to outside centre Jordon Wythe for a solid game and that great conversion just near the halfway line. Next week see Shoreham 2s visit the Stanley Turner ground.for a friendly.
Juniors
Sunday 1 November
Lewes Colts v Hove Colts
Score: 22 - 0
Report by Aidan Byrne
Lewes Colts entertained Hove at the Stanley Turner Ground. Referee David Pete kept up with play and officiated over a very even contest in which the hosts were slightly flattered by the final score. Both sides took the opportunity to experiment with position changes and give everyone a game with the consequence that it was only in the second half that the there were long passages of continuous play.
Playing into a very stiff breeze Lewes started well and were quickly into the Hove 22. Good defence and stout tackling by the Hove backs prevented Lewes scoring. On the 10 minute mark however Stuart Diplock took a pass outside the Hove 22 and was able to weave and dodge his way over to score in the corner. The next 15 minutes saw the play in the middle of the pitch with many unforced errors. Just before half time Danny Hemsley, breaking from the edge of a ruck on the half way line, burst through two tackles and ran to the try line and showed good intelligence not to touch down in the corner but running to the posts gave Lewis Harte an easily kickable conversion.
Lewes, playing with a strong wind in the second half, started well and in the early stages had good territorial. Two new signings for Lewes, Ollie Callaghan and Ollie Stables, linked well in the centre and showed great promise. Aaron White finished a nice move scoring on the right hand side of the posts. The game was much easy on the eye with both side playing better rugby having adapted to the conditions. Diplock who started as wing forward, moved to wing and now playing as outhalf – had the last score getting a try with only five minutes to play. In the dying moments Hove put together some very nice rugby running from their own try line and only a final try saving tackle from, again, Diplock stopped a certain try.
Scorers for Lewes: Stuart Diplock (2 tries), Danny Hemsley (1 try), Arron White (1 try), Lewis Harte (1 Conversions)
Lewes Squad: George Dean, Sam Rawson, Tom Howell, Matt Jones, Lockie Diplock, Stuart Diplock, Tom Pellett, Arron White, Josh Hillman, Ollie Callaghan, Ollie Stapels, Lewis Harte, Theo Tyrer, Dom Burns, Ryan Byrne, Ned Barker, Austin Weight, Christian Vanezi.
Next week Lewes are playing Hastings in Lewes for the first round of the Under 17’s Cup.
Lewes U16 v Heathfield U16
Score: 0-12
Lewes U16 entertained Heathfield in the driving rain on Sunday morning. This fixture always seems to attract freak weather. The first half finished on a 0-0score with Heathfield having played most of the game in Lewes half. Lewes was playing the better rugby, winning set pieces and rucks but seemed to suffer from a lack of luck. Heathfield opened the score with a slippery forward try. Dan Kelly from Lewes then had a try disallowed although from where the very brave and by now very wet blue supporters were standing it looked perfect!
A missed tackle on Lewes’ 10 metre line allowed Heathfield's centre to run under the post: 12 - 0.
The Lewes boys never gave up and spend the rest of the half in Heathfield’s half but again a lack of luck and a very greasy ball stopped them scoring. An exceptional performance was put in by by James Bolton. Man of the match was Harry Pulley.
Lewes U15
No game
Lewes U14
No game
Lewes U13
No game
Minis
No games
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