Lewes RFC

Sun 26 Jan 2025, 11:00

East Grinstead U15s 'A'

7 - 19

Lewes RFC U15M

East Grinstead U15s 'A'

Lewes RFC U15M

The Lewes Lions U15 Warriors played away on Sunday, in their first League 2 match of the year against East Grinstead, a really powerful pack and competitive side who Lewes needed to beat to put them in a good position for their next three matches.

The match conditions were going to be challenging, and the hope was that the rain would take a break for the match.

East Grinstead started quickly from the kick off, and mounted a number of great phases, followed by a penalty to put them in the Lewes 22 after a kick to touch. From the line East Grinstead mounted a maul to drive the ball further, but Lewes were quick to steal, taking the ball into touch at the half way line.

From this point Lewes began to dominate in the rucks and phases, pushing deeper into the East Grinstead 22. For the next five minutes Lewes were able to maintain pressure in the East Grinstead half and on a number of occasions came close to make a break and crossing the line for the first score. Unfortunately for the Warriors, East Grinstead were able to gain possession, and take the ball deep in the Lewes 22. From this point they were able to cross the line, and with a conversion put the scores at East Grinstead 7, Lewes 0.

The warriors came back quickly at their opposition and were quickly to pin East Grinstead in their half. Over the next ten minutes the Warriors dominated in all areas, and maintained phase after phase in the East Grinstead half, edging closer and closer to the oppositions try line. Finally, the ball was taken over for the Warriors by Harry Boot-Handford through a great charge through the East Grinstead forwards, and with a successful conversion this levelled the score at Lewes U15 Warriors 7 and East Grinstead 7.

With ten minutes of the half remaining both sides were determined to gain the advantage. Both sides mounted numerous phases in each sides half, with the Warriors often looking the most likely to increase their lead. As the conditions worsened the final whistle for the half saw both sides still level after a highly competitive half.

As the second half started the players on both sides could be seen struggling with the conditions, with driving rain and wind, making play incredibly challenging. East Grinstead were the first side to push for a score, driving deep into the Lewes Warriors 22. The Lewes defence held strong, repelling numerous phases. After intense minutes Lewes were able to steal the ball in the ruck and take possession back into the East Grinstead half.

For the next ten minutes, both sides mounted numerous attacks, with the outcome of the game still in balance.  Finally, It was the Lewes Warriors who were able to break the deadlock, taking the ball deep into the East Grinstead half, and parking themselves within reach of the East Grinstead try line. After numerous phases, with the Warriors looking for space, Finn Simmonds was able to take the ball over, and with a missed conversion put the scores at Lewes 12, East Grinstead 7.

With the conditions worsening, East Grinstead still looked dangerous, and did not give up. For the next ten minutes the Warriors were able to keep the East Grinstead pack outside of their 22, while the opposition continued to look for a space that would lead them to victory.  The Warriors were able to absorb multiple lineouts and scrums in their half, each time stealing possession and taking the ball back to the safety of the half way line.

In the last minutes of the match, the Warriors were finally able to find the space they had searched for, with Reggie Hart running through the East Grinstead defence, putting the ball down in the centre, with a conversion this put the scores at Lewes Warriors 19, East Grinstead 7.

Over the final minutes Lewes continued to absorb multiple attack phases on the half way line until the East Grinstead Coaching Staff finally called for the whistle to be blown two minutes before time.   

Players on both sides were fantastic, playing in some of the harshest conditions either squad had seen this year. The coaching staff were immensely proud of the grit and determination demonstrated by all the Lewes players. They played some of their best rugby of the season  against an equally determined opposition. The squad is now looking forward to their next home league game against Jersey on Sunday 26^th January, which will prove to be one of their biggest challenges of the season.