Lewes RFC

Sat 7 Dec 2024, 13:30

Worthing III

7 - 5

Lewes

Worthing III

Lewes

The conditions were appalling with a strong blowing down an already wet and muddy pitch, but due to the commitment and effort of both sides together with an excellent referee, an exciting spectacle was served up for the spectators who had braved the weather to get to Worthing.

It quickly became apparent that the direction of the wind would make it a game of two halves, and Worthing had the advantage in the first half. Lewes attacked well, but were frustrated when Worthing were able to put clearance kicks well down the field and they had to start again.

Lewes, to their credit, despite being forced to make seven changes to their team from last week, defended really well in the face of the elements, but right at the end of the half an almighty shove from Worthing got them right up to the Lewes line and over for the try. The frustration of this boiled over for Kane Dadswell who was yellow carded for his remarks and when they continued, it was upgraded to a red.

The conversion of the try brought the first half to an end, and when the teams crossed over at half time, Lewes now had the wind at their backs, but they were 7-0 down as well as being reduced to fourteen men. But attack was the only option and they worked hard to put the Worthing team under pressure.

Eventually Lewes were awarded a scrum in front of the Worthing posts, and worked a move that put Daryl Benson over in the corner. The conversion was not easy, and left the score at 7-5, with everything to play for in the final quarter. This was where both sets of supporters began to get excited, as the result was in the balance, but attacking moves were often hindered by handling errors as the conditions worsened.

Twice Lewes had promising moves down the left touchline thwarted by tackles into touch, as the clock ran down. Eventually they were awarded a penalty, which under normal conditions would have been eminently kickable. What with the wetness of the ball and instability of the standing foot, the kick hit the bar, a Worthing player caught it and put it in touch, closely followed by the final whistle.

Narrow margins between victory and defeat, but Lewes took it with good grace, instantly going to console the kicker before congratulating their opponents. Despite the defeat there were many positives to take from the game, such as an outstanding debut from Oskar Strasman who was a deserved man of the match.

Lewes did get a losing bonus point, but the result puts them down one into seventh place. Next week we welcome bottom placed Hove to the Stanley Turner (14^th December), where the game will be preceded by the annual Christmas lunch at 12.45. To book your place, please contact secretary@lewesrugby.com

Lewes team: Moore; Bowie, Benson, Hoff, Lacy; Henshaw, Durrant; Martin, Hutchings, Dadswell; Sale, Strasman; Weston, Green (captain), Medhurst. Replacements: Salomon, Brown, Carr.