Lewes RFC

Sun 20 Oct 2024, 11:00

Lewes U15

14 - 8

Horsham U15

Lewes U15

Horsham U15

The Lewes Lions U15 Raiders played at home on Sunday in their second League 1 match of the season against Horsham. The Raiders were aiming to maintain a clean sheet after continued success in both leagues.   

Conditions were harsh from the start, with both teams having to deal with driving rain and fluctuating wind conditions. From the kick-off Horsham were quick and chased the ball into the Lewes 22. The Lewes defence was well organised and easily held against numerous Horsham phases without giving ground. Lewes were also dominant in the scrum, and with some excellent rucking were able to gain possession on a number of occasions and move the gain line back to the half way line.

Unfortunately, for Lewes, after a great attacking move into the Horsham half, they lost possession after a knock on, and Horsham were able to kick to touch for a lineout near the Lewes try line. With quick movement from the lineout, Horsham were able to cross the line, but the player was held and could not ground the ball. Lewes were able to regain possession and with a great clearance kick return play to the half way line.

After 10 minutes of play, Lewes had still not been able to push out of their own half. However, their defence had continued to absorb multiple phases from the Horsham pack without allowing them to find space to cross the line. Over the next 5 minutes Lewes took advantage of the rising frustration of Horsham and continued to push the gain line deeper into Horsham territory. The Horsham backs were made to work hard due to well-placed kicks made by Louie Stokes and Lewes continued to advance on the Horsham 22 with some excellent phases coordinated by Logan Wood at scrum half.  

After a well organised attack by Lewes, putting them close to the Horsham try line, Horsham were able to quickly steal, and return the ball to the Lewes 22. A well-placed kick again put Horsham within striking distance of the Lewes try line, but Harvey Brown was able to intercept the ball and carry into safety on the Lewes 22.

Over the next 5 minutes Lewes continued to remain calm and organised, absorbing numerous Horsham phases, while maintaining advantage on the gain line, pushing the Horsham pack back into their own half. Horsham were able to regain the ball in a number of rucks, but were not able to gain territory after a number of offside infringements pushed them back further into their half.

As the last quarter of the half was reached, Lewes were able to sustain pressure in the Horsham 22, making Horsham work hard to prevent Lewes from finding space. Lewes also began to dominate in the scrum and ruck, out muscling the larger Horsham forwards, ensuring that Lewes remained firmly in the Horsham half. As injuries mounted in the Horsham forward pack, scrums were made uncontested, removing an advantage for Lewes towards the end of the half.

Unfortunately, after dominating for the majority of the quarter, Lewes were penalised and Horsham were able to kick to safety, deep into the Lewes 22. The Lewes defence still looked strong, but after a quick move from the back of the lineout, Horsham were able to cross the line, opening the score line in the last minutes of the half.  With a failed conversion this put the scores at Horsham 5, Lewes 0.

Lewes players quickly gained territory from the restart, and would have crossed the line to level the scores had Horsham not been able to kick to touch from their try line in the last seconds of the half.

Horsham started quickly at the start of the second half, and were able to mount multiple phases into the Lewes 22. The Lewes defence still looked fresh, and again easily absorbed this pressure, waiting for an opportunity to regain possession.

Within 5 minutes of the half, Lewes were able to mount numerous phases and with quick hands get the ball out to Henry Crook at the wing. Crook was able to outpace a tired looking Horsham defence, placing Lewes inside the Horsham 22. Over the next 2 minutes the Lewes players dominated in all areas along the gain line, driving Horsham backwards at each phase. Lewes were able to finally cross the line, as Laurie Blomfield crashed through space in the Horsham defence. With a successful conversion, Lewes took the lead with Lewes 7, Horsham 5.

After the restart Horsham, after a quick ball chase, were awarded a penalty in the Lewes 22. They elected to kick for the posts and took the 3 points to lead at Horsham 8, Lewes 7. Lewes were quick to gain advantage at the restart, putting Horsham under sustained pressure in their 22. Over the next 10 minutes the Lewes pack created multiple phases, punching holes in the Horsham defence, while the backs were able to keep the ball moving, constantly hunting for space in the opposition defensive line. This sustained pressure from Lewes took its toll on Horsham, who were tiring and lost a number of players due to injury.  

Finally, Reggie Hart was able to cross the line for Lewes, storming through spaces left in the Horsham line. With a successful conversion, Lewes took the lead  with Lewes 14 and Horsham 8. After this try, sensing that tired legs might provide further try scoring possibilities, Lewes continued to move through the gears and began to mount further phases into the Horsham half. However, despite dominating the last minutes of the match, Lewes were not able to convert their efforts into points with the final score ending on Lewes 14, Horsham 8.  

The coaching staff were immensely proud of the grit, determination and sportsmanship demonstrated by all of the Lewes players, who stuck to their game plan, under challenging conditions. The squad are now looking forward to their next league matches where the U15 Raiders play Crawley and the U15 Warriors play Hastings and Bexhill, at the Stanley Turner Ground, on Sunday November 17.