Lewes RFC

Sun 13 Oct 2024, 11:00

Lewes RFC U15M

48 - 12

Burgess Hill RFC U15M

Lewes RFC U15M

Burgess Hill RFC U15M

The Lewes Lions U15s played at home on Sunday in their second League 2 match of the season against Burgess Hill. After two wins in League 1 and 2 for the U15 squad the Warriors were aiming to maintain a clean sheet in League 2. 

Lewes were able to gain the upper hand from the kick off when Burgess Hill knocked on under a high ball. From the scrum on the half way line, Lewes mounted a dominant attack, cycling through phases and probing for space in the Burgess Hill defence. After 3 minutes Lewes were able to cross the line in the corner after a great carry from Zac Melville. This opened the score at Lewes 5, Burgess Hill 0, after an unlucky failed conversion.

Lewes were able to maintain pressure, and after a double movement awarded Lewes a scrum on the half way line, the ball was carried down half the pitch by Josh Ferguson who was just caught by the defence close to the try line in the corner. From the resulting lineout Lewes were able to take possession and quickly move the ball through hands to Melville who crossed the line a second time under the posts. With a conversion this put the scores at Lewes 12, Burgess Hill 0.

Half way into the half, Lewes were still able to maintain a dominant attack, but due to handling errors Burgess Hill were able to regain possession and make a great carry, touching the ball down under the Lewes posts. With a successful conversion, this put Burgess Hill on the scoreboard with a score line of Lewes 12, Burgess Hill 7.

Lewes maintained discipline and after the kick off were able to push Burgess Hill back into their half. The Burgess Hill defence remained strong, and over the next few minutes the gain line fluctuated between the two sides. Frankie Travers, at Fullback, was able to limit the Burgess Hill kicking game, until finally, Lewes were able to find space and another great run by Ferguson put the Warriors close to the Burgess Hill try line. After a penalty from Lewes and some great movement through the line, Harvey Brown was able to take the ball over the line, with a conversion this put Lewes further ahead with Lewes on 19 and Burgess Hill on 7.

With 5 minutes of the half remaining the Warriors were determined not to take their foot of the gas and mounted multiple phases in the Burgess Hill half. The forwards, including Fin Simmonds, Harry Boot-Handford, Charlie Joe Green and Jabez Ormerod Down were able to push the gain line back while Finley Sawyer maintained the pace of the attack at Scrum Half. Rupert Collins, Toby Graham and Elliot Luscombe were also able to punch holes in the centre, probing for space for the backline. After 3 minutes of intense phase play, Burgess Hill knocked on. Lewes were quick to take advantage and Hayden Bourne was able to take the ball across the line under the Burgess Hill posts. After a failed conversion this score ended the half with Lewes Warriors on 24, Burgess Hill 7.

At the start of the second half Burgess Hill were determined to not let Lewes gain further advantage. For the next 10 minutes both sides pushed defensive lines back with sustained and organised attacks, with possession changing frequently. Finally, after a loose ball from the scrum, Laurie Blomfield  was able to gather and cross the line after an amazing carry from the halfway line. With a failed conversion, this put the scores at Lewes 29, Burgess Hill 7.

Lewes continued to put Burgess Hill under pressure. For the next five minutes the Warriors dominated on the ground and stifled any kicks with some great catches made by Green. The Lewes forwards continued to dominate with Max Holmes and Ollie Smith punching holes in the Burgess Hill defence. After some great phase play and movement down the line, Reggie Hart was able to outpace the Burgess Hill defence, carrying the ball over the line under the posts. With a successful conversion this put the score at Lewes Warriors 36, Burgess Hill 7.

In the last part of the half Burgess Hill came back into the match, determined not to let Lewes dominate. They were able to mount numerous phases, pushing the Lewes pack onto their own try line. With great team work and organisation, the Lewes defensive line held strong and slowly began to push Burgess Hill back towards the half way line. Just when Lewes thought they had the advantage Burgess Hill were able to steal, taking the ball across the line under the posts, this put the scores at Lewes 36, Burgess Hill 12.

In the last minutes of the match, Lewes were able to find fresh legs, and with a great set of phases and movement down the left wing, Hart was able to again cross the line and after a failed conversion the score was Lewes 41, Burgess Hill 12.

Lewes continued to maintain huge pressure in the Burgess Hill half, determined to press their advantage. After some great play in the centre, quick hands took the ball out to Jaxon Walker who carried the ball deep into the Burgess Hill 22, before being taken into touch before he could cross the line. Lewes were able to regain possession and the ball was quickly passed through hands to be taken over by Blomfield, putting the scores at Lewes 48, Burgess Hill 12 after a successful conversion.

In the last minutes of the match Burgess Hill did not let their heads drop and launched numerous phases at the Lewes defensive line, pushing the Warriors back onto their try line. After a tense few minutes Lewes were able to break the deadlock with a tackle on the try line followed by a kick to safety made by Harry Boot-Handford.

The coaching staff were immensely proud of the grit and determination demonstrated by both teams. The Lewes Warriors demonstrated excellent gameplay and organisation, again sticking to their game plan, despite pressure, throughout the match. The squad are now looking forward to their second League 1 match where the Lewes Lions Raiders play Horsham at the Stanley Turner Ground on Sunday October 20.