Lewes RFC

Sun 5 Oct 2025, 12:30

Lewes U16

33 - 19

Jersey U16s

Lewes U16

Jersey U16s

The Lewes Lions U16s played at home on Sunday, in their first League 1 match of the new season. They knew they were going to face a tough match against Jersey, who were an excellent side, new to League 1 after ending last season at the top of League 2.

Lewes had the kick off, Jersey received well, but the ball was quickly played into touch. Over the early minutes of the match possession changed regularly, with each side looking for dominance in the centre and pushing for space.

Lewes gained the first scrum, taking the ball forward, and after a high tackle gained a penalty which allowed them to move into the Jersey 22. After a kick to touch, Lewes were able to position themselves close to the Jersey try line. Over the following minutes Lewes remained in the Jersey half, eventually gaining a scrum which allowed them to make further territory.

After 9 minutes, after a charge by Finn Simmonds, Lewes were able to cross the line, and with a successful conversion made by Louis Stokes, the scoreline was Lewes 7, Jersey 0.

Jersey kicked off and Lewes were quick to chase and gained the advantage by running the ball deep into Jersey’s half. Jersey were quick to kick the ball to regain territory, but after Jersey were penalised for being off their feet in the ruck, Lewes were able to push back into the Jersey half.

Lewes continued to be dominant in their phase play, pushing Jersey back and after a successful lineout maul, their forwards and back were able to again push deep into the Jersey half, and after a charge from the Lewes right wing taking Lewes close to the try line, Lewes were able to gain a penalty and kicked for touch in the corner. From the resulting lineout, Lewes were able to quickly pass the ball down the line with Louie Stokes able to find space in the centre and take the ball across the line under the posts. A successful conversion put the scores at Lewes 14, Jersey 0.

From the kick off, Lewes were quick to gather, and within minutes, with dominant phase play and quick ball out to the backs, quickly pushed deep into Jersey’s half. Jersey were penalised and Lewes quickly took advantage by kicking to touch on the left wing close to the Jersey 22. From the lineout Lewes were able to quickly get the ball out wide and Leo Vincent was able to find space through the centre and take the ball under the posts again for the 3rd try of the match. Another successful conversion by Stokes put the score at Lewes 21, Jersey 0.

Lewes continued to have the momentum in the match and were quick to kick into the Jersey half after Jersey were penalised after the restart. After an intense period of phase play, Lewes maintained pressure on the Jersey pack in their own half with continuous work between forwards and backs. After a huge amount of work, Lewes again found themselves next to the Jersey try line, and with a quick tap and go, were able to push over the try line for their fourth try scored by Max Holmes. Again the boot of Stokes gained a successful conversion, putting the score at Lewes 28, Jersey 0, just before half time.
In the 2nd half Jersey came out determined to make their first mark on the scoreline and over the next 8 minutes managed to push into the Lewes half. After a number of errors on the part of Lewes, Jersey were able to park themselves on the Lewes 22, and despite a vigorous defence, took the ball over the line to give them their first score. After a failed conversion this put the scores at Lewes 28, Jersey 5.

Jersey were quick to monopolise on the change in momentum and mounted numerous phases into the Lewes half. After 12 minutes into the 2nd half they were again able to cross the line, and with a successful conversion decrease the deficit to Lewes 28, Jersey 12.

Over the next 20 minutes Lewes were able to shift the momentum of the match, and both sides continued to push into the other’s halves. After some great work by the Lewes forwards in the centre, the Lewes wings were able to move deep into the Jersey half. After an important line out Lewes were able to spread the Jersey defence by moving the ball quickly, eventually getting the ball out to James Skelton, on the wing, who took the ball over for Lewes’s fifth try of the match. With a failed conversion, this put the scores at Lewes 33, Jersey 12.

With only ten minutes of the match remaining Jersey continued to fight to even the scoreline, and put the Lewes defensive line under continued pressure. After numerous phases this paid off, and Jersey were able to cross the line for the 3rd time, with a conversion the scores were Lewes 33, Jersey 19.

In the remaining quarter of the match, Lewes were able to hold a passionate Jersey attack, who did not give up until the final whistle sounded.

Both sides played fantastic gritty rugby. The coaching staff were immensely proud of the determination and sportsmanship demonstrated by all the Lewes and Jersey players.

The squad are now looking forward to their next league match when they play Chichester at the Stanley Turner Ground on Sunday 19th October.