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7 - 8 November match reports
11th November 2009

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Seniors

Saturday 7 November 2009

Lewes Squanders Lead After a Rattling First Half

Sevenoaks 1st XV v Lewes 1st XV
Score: 40-32
Report by Dereck Wade

With this defeat, Lewes missed the chance to go second in the table as close rivals Hove lost their first game of the season to runaway League leaders Tonbridge Juddians. From a spectator’s point of view, this was a highly entertaining game of open rugby, but much of the high scoring resulted from errors rather than constructive rugby. For the second week running, Lewes squandered a comfortable half-time lead to lose the contest in the last 10 minutes.

From the outset, the scoreboard fairly rattled along, with an opening penalty to the visitors by fly-half Matt Adair trumped by a try from Sevenoaks` left wing, Pollock. Lewes No. 8 Matt Ridley responded for Lewes with a close-range try, and then right-winger Steve Mills used his blistering pace to put his side further ahead with a fine try, converted by Adair.

A mix-up in the 22 metre area a few minutes later between backs Nick Sharp and Sam Hutchinson presented Sevenoaks with the platform to score another try from wide out. However, the remainder of the half belonged to Lewes with Adair kicking four penalties to give his side a 27 – 15 lead at the break.

Although Lewes had good chances in the second period, they were not rammed home with only a further penalty from Adair adding to their score. Meanwhile, the home side raised their game and capitalised on some slack defence by Lewes to run in four tries and a penalty to record a deserved win. In both the successes of the first half and the disappointments of the second, flanker Rupert Arbuthnot was outstanding for Lewes.

Lewes: Andre (Williams), Sayers, Lacy, Brant, Gorbell (Capt.), Arbuthnot, Cartlidge, Ridley, Blunt, Adair, Mills, Terry, Bell, Sharp (Wade), Hutchinson

On Saturday, Lewes entertain Warlingham at the Stanley Turner Ground, k.o. 2.30pm.

Lewes 3rd XV v Shoreham II
Score: 55-5
Report by Steve Jackson
Pics by Nick Page

Shoreham arrived with nine players so Lewes kindly lent them of theirs to make a front row so there were had contested scrums. One of those players, was veteran prop Ray Stenning playing his first game for over a year.

Lewes started very lively and scored through outside centre Rob Wood in the corner. Tight head prop Tom Shuttleworth was very mobile and took the game to Shoreham, supported well by his fellow forwards. Scores followed from Gareth Pond, Simon Coe, Terry Falk, and another from Rob Wood with kicks coming from Jordon Wythe. Shoreham never gave up the ghost and scored through their skipper after some strong running.

Sunday 8 November 2009

Ladies

Old Caterhamians Ladies – Lewes Ladies
Score: 17– 5
Report by Alice Hannon

Our second away game of the season was a fraught battle of forward strength and back dexterity, and after a fantastic bit of team work from Sadie Graham and Hev Shaw in the centres, half time saw a neat draw of 5-5.

The second half of the game proved a tough one for Lewes, who struggled to manage Old Cats’ kicking game. After Sarah "Clarkie" Clarke was chauffeured off the pitch with an unpleasant gash on her knee (check your studs ladies, please!), and several tough scrums, the game ended with a disappointing, but not embarrassing score.

Juniors

Sunday 8 November 2009

Youth

Under 18

Colts Hot to Trot as Burns Scores Hat Trick

Lewes Colts - Horsham
Score: 49- 0
Report by Aidan Byrne

The Lewes U17s started their cup campaign with a comprehensive victory over Horsham winning 49 points to 0. Because the Lewes pitches were unplayable the fixture was moved from Lewes to Horsham. Arriving with only fifteen players and some positional changes they all played excellently and came out worthy winners.

From the off Lewes stamped their authority on the game and Horsham had no response to both the physicality of the Lewes forwards and the speed of the backs. Raff and Hart finished off two moves with two tries and after six minutes Lewes were winning by 10 points. Then Byrne scored in the corner. From a lineout the forwards mauled the ball fifteen metres and were stopped just short of the line and when it was passed along the backs the speed of the passing gave the Horsham little chance and Ryan Byrne touched down. Dom Burns scored the first of his three tries finishing off a well executed move started by Hillman. From a scrum in the Lewes half Hillman broke on the blind side, who passed to Gunn who then passed to Burns as he was being tackled. Burns had done well to get into position to receive the pass and he stormed from outside the 22 to finish off the try. Just before half time Christian Vanezi got the touchdown for a forwards try when a lineout 10 meters from the Horsham line was mauled over the line.

Whatever the Horsham coach said to his team at halftime to revive their efforts it worked. They came out with much more determination and effort. Passes went to hand and they managed to play the ball from their 22 to the Lewes 22 and only some excellent tacking prevented a score. Burns then scored two tries in quick succession completing some nice Lewes play. Harte scored another try and Gunn had the final say with an individual try when he had run out of support and decided that he best go on his own.

A very convincing win for a Lewes side who have strengthened their squad with the new addition of Ollie Stables, debuting as inside centre. Tom Pellett showed his versatility playing hooker for the first time and had a great game.

The next round of this cup is in three weeks time against Hayward Heath and will be a much more stern test.

Scorers for Lewes: Ryan Byrne (1 try), Dom Burns (3 tries) Raff Gunn (2 try, 1 conversion), Lewis Harte (2 tries, 1 conversion), Christian Vanezi (1 try).

Lewes Squad: George Dean, Tom Pellett, Ryohei Ishida, Lockie Diplock, Stuart Diplock, Aaron White, Ollie Stables, Josh Hillman, Lewis Harte, Christian Vanezi, Dom Burns, Danny Hemsley, Ryan Byrne, Raff Gunn, Austin Weight,

Under 14

Edenbridge U14's v Lewes U14's
Score 0 - 42
Report by Dave Durrant

Lewes visited Edenbridge for their first league game of the season, It was the first ever meeting of the two sides, so the opposition where an unknown quantity. The game started at a quick pace with Edenbridge putting Lewes under some early pressure from the kick off, but this was well absorbed by Lewes and woke them up.

Lewes then put together a good passage of play involving backs and forwards resulting in Lewes getting deep into the oppositions half. Edenbridge then knocked the ball on and from the resulting scrum, Lewes No 8 Harry Abblet picked up and ran 15 meters to score the opening try after seven minutes, which was converted.

Lewes were now well and truly in the game, with the forwards now exerting great pressure in the scrum and rucks, which was resulting in good quick ball for the backs to run.

Aggressive counter rucking by the Lewes forwards in the Edenbridge 22 resulted in turn over ball,this was picked up by Jack Cullinane who spotted a gap and ran in the second try on 15 minutes.

The next try came on 20 minutes, a Lewes clearance kick from their 22, was well chased up, the resulting ruck was again turned over and the ball was quickly recycled out to the backs, Centre Jacob Crivello made a fine run, to set up a ruck 5 metres out, with good support from the forwards, Edenbridge went over the top of ruck, resulting in a penalty, second row Joe Annette-Norman then ran from deep on to the ball and crashed over to score.

Lewes next try game from quick line out ball on the Edenbridge 22 which was passed out wide by the backs, good defensive tackling by Edenbridge stopped them 5 metres short, but from the resulting maul, forward Lewis Evans won the ball and scored the fourth try just before half time.

The second half followed in the same vain, Edenbridge still battled well, but Lewes superior rucking and good defensive tackling didn't allow them into the game. Lewes put together a number phases, opening up the Edenbridge defense for centre Jacob Crivello to run in the fifth try. Forward Joe Annette-Norman then scored his second try, Lewes sixth with another fine run.

The seventh try was scored by scrum half Gus Taylor who pick up from the base of a lewes scrum on the Edenbridge 22, sold a fine dummy and hit the gas to score under the posts.

The final try was scored by back row Jack Cullinane who appeared in the Lewes back line at pace and hit the gap to score.

It was a fine all-round performance by Lewes against an Edenbridge side that battled harder than the score line suggests.

Minis

Over 300 children aged between six and 12 years stood in respectful silence with their parents and supporters, when Bognor Rugby Club visited Lewes RFC at the Stanley Turner ground on Remembrance Sunday. Honour having been paid to those who gave their lives so that we could play the sport we love, a friendly round of games commenced.

The results of the matches are as follow:

Under 7
Scores to follow

Under 8
Lewes 35 - 25 Bognor

Under 9
Lewes 0 - 10 Bognor
Lewes 0 - 10 Bognor

Under 10
Lewes 10 - 5 Bognor

Under 11
Lewes 35 - 5 Bognor
Lewes 20 - 5 Bognor

Under 12
Lewes 25 - 10 Bognor
Lewes 15 - 0 Bognor

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