News & match reports
Triple whammy for Lewes Colts
17th May 2010
Lewes Colts add 2010 Sussex League Final feather to their caps!
16nd May 2010
Lewes Colts vs Brighton Colts
Score: Lewes 23 - Brighton 21
Match report by Aidan Byrne
What a way to finish the season! Lewes Colts beat Brighton Colts in the Sussex League Final held in the neutral venue of Hove RFC. Played in cloudy conditions Lewes came out worth winners and should be rightfully proud of an excellent season.
Brighton came out the sharper of the two sides and took the game to Lewes. They dominated the forward exchanges with their back row being first to the break down stealing any loose ball. Within 10 minutes Brighton has scored two converted tries, Lewes not even been out of their half and Brighton seemed in total control. The Brighton Scottish international No. 10 was running riot in the mid-field. There was not desperation in the Lewes side, no strident voices and nobody panicked. Even though Brighton were controlling the game the Lewes side looked composed. Stuart Diplock was unfortunate to have been injured at this stage and was replaced by Sam Peat. Then Lewes started playing rugby, a great run from the Lewes backs from the 22 saw them nearly score a try in the corner. Started by Kieran Martin, who had an excellent game at No. 10, he passed the ball to Ollie Callaghan who made good ground. The ball was beautifully passed through hands and Lewis Harte was pulled down just sort of the line. The first Lewes score was a penalty kick from Kieran. It was a monster kick, against the wind, from close to half-way line right in front of the posts. It had the direction and comfortably had the distance. Tom Pellett scored a forwards try when Brighton had a player yellow carded for continual infringements stopping Lewes scoring a try. A maul from a five yard lineout was pushed over the Brighton try line and when the referee pulled the players off at the very bottom was Tom Pellett grinning like a Cheshire cat. Kieran converted – a difficult touchline conversion from the right hand side into the wind. Just on the stroke of half time Billie scored another try on the other side of the pitch. Kieran again converted from the touch line. 
The half-time score of 17 – 14 was a slightly flattering to Lewes from a territory and possession statistic. However the play in the second half was a more even affair. With the wind behind them Lewes who have a very good back line were attacking with more determination. Raff Gunn was having a difficult time from the attentions of the Brighton back row who were very competitive at the breakdown. His potent attacking force from the edges the rucks and mauls was carefully monitored by the Brighton forwards. He started to link well with the Lewes back row getting Aaron, Shep and Danny running at the opposition. Lockie and Hocking were equally effective in the coal face helping to secure possession and pushing in the tiring rucks and mauls. A penalty against Lewes in front of the Brighton posts was reversed and resulted in a second yellow card for a Brighton player who foolishly punched a Lewes player after the whistle had blown. Kieran converted and when he took another penalty conversion Lewes had a nine point advantage and it looked like they were home and dry.
Unfortunately for Lewes Brighton decided to make a game of it. They ran from deep, they ran with support and they ran good lines. Brilliant defensive tackles stopped scores however the waves of attack eventually broke the line and Brighton scored a try under the posts. It was a beautiful well worked attack. With 10 minutes to go and a two point difference it was “squeaky bum time”. Brighton hammered at Lewes, who defended with discipline and did not concede a penalty. A Lewes attack, slightly against the run of play, came close to scoring on the right hand side. The Lewes fullback, Ryan Byrne, could not catch the ball with the line in his sights as his left hand had a sole little finger. He had to come off injured - it was cut through to the bone. The clock wound down and the final Brighton attack was rebuffed. Lewes won.
What a season – the squad had just won the U17 Sussex Cup, the U18 Sussex Cup, and now the Colts Sussex League. I am going fishing!
Scorers for Lewes: Kieran Martin (2 conversions, three penalties), Billie Filmer (1 try), Tom Pellett
Lewes Squad: George Dean (Captain), Billie Filmer, Lockie Diplock, Stuart Diplock, Tom Pellett , Aaron White, Danny Hemsley, Joshua Sheppard, Lewis Harte, Christian Vaneze, Raff Gunn, Ollie Callaghan, Tom Hocking, Charlie Savage, Sam Peat, Theo Tyrer, Ryan Byrne, Kieran Martin, Sam Rawson, Tom Howell
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