Lewes RFC

Sun 8 Dec 2024, 11:00

Hove U15

29 - 5

Lewes U15

Hove U15

Lewes U15

The Lewes Lions U15s played away at Hove RFC on Sunday 8 December. After nine wins from nine matches for the U15 squad, both players and coaches knew that Hove Hawkes would be the most experienced and well drilled team they had played so far this season and that the Raiders would have to put in a huge effort to compete during the game. The weather conditions did not help, with both teams experiencing large headwinds from the remnants of storm Darragh.

The first four minutes of the match saw Hove put the Raiders under intense pressure in their 22. Lewes were able to absorb this pressure and their defence remained tight, and was able to gradually push back the Hove line into their own half.

Hove continued to probe the Lewes defence and began to mount multiple phases, pushing the Lewes defensive line back into its own 22. After 7 minutes Hove were able to gain a scrum next to the Lewes try line, and after a pick up from the back of the scrum take the ball over the line for the first score of the match, with a failed conversion, this opened the score at Hove 5, Lewes Raiders 0.

Lewes were quick to the restart and were able to gain territory, pushing Hove into their own half. Hove were quick to come back, mounting a number of key runs, pushing the gain line into the Lewes half. After five minutes of intense play, Hove were able to orchestrate a well-placed kick into the Lewes 22, from where they were able to start a driving maul, from an initial line-out to the Lewes try line, and take the ball over for a second time.

With a failed conversion this put the scores at Hove 10, Lewes Raiders 0 with fifteen minutes of the half remaining. Over the next ten minutes of the match Lewes were able to build their confidence as they began to drive Hove back into their own half. The Lewes attack began to cause the Hove defence numerous problems as the Raiders dominated in the ruck. On numerous occasions Lewes were able to trap Hove in their 22, but frustratingly were not able to convert this dominance into points. Unfortunately for Lewes, Hove, after some quick ball, were able to cross the line again, and with a successful conversion put the score at Hove 17, Lewes 0.

For the next ten minutes, the Lewes Raiders again dominated Hove, pushing them back into their 22. Hove were able to respond by gaining two key kicks, which took them back to safety in the Raiders 22. From a lineout, close to the Raiders try line, Hove were able to cross the line again, and with a failed conversion this put the score at Hove 22, Lewes 0 at the end of the half.

At the start of the second half, The U15 Lewes Raiders now had the wind with them, and they began to gain more dominance in all areas of the game, pushing the Hove line back and keeping them in their own half. Unfortunately for the Raiders after 5 minutes of dominant play, Hove were able to make a quick breakaway run, crossing the line again and with a conversion put the scores at Hove 29, Lewes 0. At the restart Lewes were able to hold Hove at the half way line, and in a moment of quick-thinking Reuben Hunt was able to pick the ball up from the back of a ruck and run the ball from the half way line to cross the try line for the Raiders. With a failed conversion, this put the scores at Hove 29, Lewes 5.

Over the next 15 minutes the momentum of the game changed dramatically, Lewes, still looking fresh, began to mount numerous phases, battering the Hove line back into their own half. Lewes dominated in the ruck, and even when Hove were able to steal the ball, it was quickly regained through a solid Lewes defence. On numerous occasions it seemed like the Raiders had found space to cross the line, but each time they were held back by the Hove defence, only to quickly push forward again and put the Hove line under further pressure.

In the last five minutes of the half, Lewes did not leave the Hove 22, mounting countless phases of attack, completely dominating Hove in the ruck and consistently pushing the gain line back onto the Hove try line. In the last minutes of play, it looked like Lewes were going to cross the line, but at the last the Raiders were held up as they crossed the try line, only for the final whistle to blow.

The squad will be disappointed with their first defeat of the season, but also have a huge number of positives to take away from the match. They were able to limit Hove, a fantastic side to just one try in the second half, and for a good 75% of the half dominated the Hove squad and did not leave the Hove 22. The final score line, did not fully represent the chances Lewes had in the Hove 22 and the whole team should feel proud that they were able to dominate a team of Hove’s quality for much of the second half.

The whole squad are now looking forward to a well-deserved rest after  playing in the Mince Pie 10 tournament on the 15 December at the Stanley Turner Ground.