Sun 6 Oct 2024, 11:00
Lewes Lions Raiders 24: Chichester 17.
The Lewes Lions U15s played away on Sunday in their first League 1 match of the season against Chichester. For the first time they were proudly playing under the team title of the Lewes Lions Raiders.
All the players were looking forward to the intensity of their first League 1 match. Both sides had a lot to prove, since the last time they had met the match was decided by a try in the last minute by Lewes after no side had been able to score for the duration of the match.
The first few minutes of the match were scrappy with play moving quickly between the Lewes and Chichester 22. In the third minute Lewes were looking dominant, moving deep into the Chichester half, when an interception allowed Chichester to break and cross the line. With a successful conversion this opened the score line at Chichester 7, Lewes 0.
Lewes immediately came back at Chichester and after a series of lineouts and dominant phase play parked themselves outside of the Chichester 22. After a series of dominant scrums, Lewes were able to consistently push the Chichester forward pack backwards towards their try line, ending in a fantastic scrum drive, which allowed Laurie Blomfield to break away and take the ball over the line. With a successful conversion this levelled the scores.
The Lewes pack began to increase the tempo of their attack, sensing that they had momentum on their side. Over the next 10 minutes they mounted multiple phases into the Chichester half. Quick movement at the lineout and further dominance in the scrum also enabled them to reduce Chichester’s possession. After a great move from Reggie Hart and Leon Hutson in the centre, the ball moved out wide to Louie Stokes who was able to take the ball over the line in the corner. After an unsuccessful conversion this put the scores at Lewes 12, Chichester 7.
Chichester managed to reload their attack over the following minutes and through a number of forced and unforced errors were able to gain a lineout on the Lewes 22. After quick movement from the lineout Chichester were able to cross the line for the second time and with a missed conversion level the scores at Lewes 12, Chichester 12.
Lewes continued to mount pressure and did not lose their organisation and gained a scrum in the Chichester 22, unfortunately after a forward pass Lewes lost possession and a superb kick from Chichester put them within striking distance of the Lewes try line.
Over the next 3 minutes of play the Lewes defence held and pushed back numerous phases from the Chichester pack, eventually taking Chichester into touch for a lineout just outside the Lewes try line. With an error from Chichester Lewes were able to steal the ball and take back possession bringing the end of the first half on an equal footing of Lewes 12, Chichester 12.
At the start of the second half the Chichester pack came out with renewed energy and determination to take the lead. Over the next 10 minutes Lewes were forced back into their half on numerous occasions, but their defensive line remained strong and denied Chichester the score they were looking for. Only after Chichester were awarded a penalty, pushing Lewes back onto their line, were they able to cross the line, putting the scores at Chichester 17, Lewes 12, after a failed conversion.
Lewes were quick to come back at Chichester, staying calm and following their game plan. They were able to again push Chichester back to their 22, denying them possession or movement across the pitch with some incredible rucking and turnovers. After 5 minutes of dominant play, Blomfield was able to crash through space in the Chichester centre and then offload to Henry Cook who outpaced the chasing Chichester pack to take the ball over the line in the corner. With a successful conversion this put Lewes ahead again on Lewes 19, Chichester 17.
The Lewes pack sensed that with a final push they could put the score line safely out of reach of Chichester. For the next 5 minutes they mounted a dominant attack into the Chichester 22, dominating in the ruck, scrum and lineout. Unfortunately after two quick penalties Lewes lost ground and were forced back into their half and after a tense period of play close to the Lewes try line, Hart was able to remove the danger with a fast paced kick which was retrieved and taken over the Chichester half way line. From this point the Lewes pack were unstoppable, playing the ball across all areas of the field and drawing the Chichester defence. After 2 minutes of dominant play Charlie Cootes was able to take the ball across the line, with a failed conversion, putting the score at Lewes 24, Chichester 17.
Chichester came back strongly in the last minutes of the match, knowing that one try and a conversion would make the score line level. Lewes were able to maintain their defence outside of their 22 and remained organised and calm, into extra time, Lewes were able to push through a Chichester lineout ending the half when the ball went into touch.
The coaching staff were immensely proud of the grit and determination demonstrated by all the Lewes players who also demonstrated excellent gameplay and organisation, sticking to their game plan throughout the match. The squad are now looking forward to their second League 2 match where the Lewes Lions Warriors play Burgess Hill at the Stanley Turner Ground on Sunday October 13.
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