Lewes RFC

Sun 2 Mar 2025, 11:00

Lewes U15

19 - 31

Brighton U15 'A'

Lewes U15

Brighton U15 'A'

The Lewes Lions U15 Raiders played at home on Sunday, in their seventh League 1 match of the season against Brighton. The Raiders were aiming to maintain their position in the League one table by securing a home win, but knew that Brighton, who the U15s had beaten, comprehensively, twice in the past, would be looking for their first win against Lewes.

Lewes began with the kick off and quickly pushed into the Brighton half, the Raiders kept pushing the gain line, but after several phases knocked on. Brighton regained possession and moved the ball back into the Raider’s half.

After five minutes of play Brighton was able to intercept after a ruck on the halfway line and run the ball between the middle of the posts for the first try of the match. With a successful conversion this put the score at Lewes Raiders 0, Brighton 7.

The Raiders were quick to come back into the game and mounted several phases deep into the Brighton 22. After dominant rucking, and two penalty advantages, the Raiders were able to even the score and take the ball over the line. With a conversion this put the scores at Lewes Raiders 7, Brighton 7.

After the restart, Brighton was penalised for offside, and Lewes kicked quickly into the Brighton half. After a Lewes Line out, the Raiders were penalised in the ruck, and Brighton gained a scrum on the halfway line. Lewes looked dominant in the scrum, and after an intercept were able to take the ball back into the Brighton half.

Over the next 10 minutes the Raiders dominated play, with quick rucking and organised phases, they were able to hold Brighton in their half and put the opposition under pressure at the gain line.

However, after a scrum in their half, Brighton were able to find space on the blindside, and with quick ball, take the ball down the wing and score. With a conversion, this put the scores at Lewes Raider 7, Brighton 14.

The Raiders were quick to kick off, eager to return to the Brighton half, but in their haste, left space for Brighton to come through the centre and quickly take the ball across the line, with a failed conversion this put the scores at Lewes Raider 7, Brighton 19.

With less than ten minutes of the half remaining, the momentum of the game swung in Brighton’s favour, and they were quick to push into the Lewes 22. The Lewes defence was quick to push up but could not stop Brighton from crossing the line again. With a conversion this put the scores at Lewes Raiders 7, Brighton 26.

The Raiders did not give up, and from the kick off, continued to push into the Brighton half, finally parking themselves in the corner. After multiple phases, each coming close to crossing the line, Lewes were denied a score by the whistle to end the first half.

At the start of the second half the Raiders were reenergised, and within four minutes had taken the ball across the line. With a conversion, this put the score at Lewes Raiders 14, Brighton 26.

Sensing that another try could swing the momentum back in the Raider’s favour, over the next 20 minutes, Lewes mounted numerous phases in the Brighton half putting the opposition under constant pressure. Brighton were penalised on numerous occasions as they attempted to deal with the speed of the Lewes attack but throughout managed to keep a solid defence and deny the Raiders the try they deserved. After a significant period of dominance by Lewes, Brighton, from a short burst of possession, were able to take the ball over the line, with no conversion, this put the scores at Lewes Raiders 14, Brighton 31.

With less than 5 minutes of the match remaining, the Raiders came straight back into the game and from a Line out in the Brighton 22, were able to take the ball over in the corner. With a failed conversion this put the scores at Lewes Raiders 19, Brighton 31.

With only minutes remaining on the clock, the Raiders did not give up and after a great run from Reuben Hunt, positioned themselves meters from the Brighton try line. The Raiders mounted wave after wave of phases at the Brighton defence, which continued to give ground and were penalised on numerous occasions due to indiscipline. After a nail-biting four minutes, Brighton kicked the ball into touch, ending hopes of a last try for the Raiders.

The Raiders played with passions, determination and great sportsmanship. It was a day where they did not play to their strength’s and did not adapt to the tactics of their opposition. They will have gained valuable experience from this. The squad are now looking forward to their next league match, where the U15 Warriors play Worthing at the Stanley Turner Ground on Sunday 9th March.