Lewes RFC

Sun 19 Oct 2025, 12:30

Lewes U16

14 - 15

Chichester U16

Lewes U16

Chichester U16

The Lewes Lions U16s played at home on Sunday, in their 2nd League One match of the season. They knew they were going to face a tough challenge against Chichester, a very good team they had narrowly beaten in two past matches, but who had finished one place ahead of them in League One last season. The conditions were difficult, with plenty of rain making quick ball a challenging prospect for both sides.

From a Chichester kick off, Lewes were quick to retain possession and over the next 5 minutes mounted numerous forward phases, pushing Chichester deep into their own half. Chichester were able to break the pressure after a kick to touch on the half way line.

Over the next 5 minutes both sides played with high intensity and energy, with Lewes spending more time in the Chichester half, while Chichester looked for opportunities to attack. Chichester were finally able to kick into the Lewes 22 followed by a line out.

Over the next 5 minutes Chichester gained momentum and spent more time in the Lewes 22 during a period of kicking by both sides. On 15 minutes into the half, Lewes were able to shift momentum and mounted numerous phases to again push back into the Chichester 22. On 20 minutes, after huge pressure from Lewes, Chichester gained a scrum, and after numerous rucks were then able to kick to break the intensity of the Lewes attack.

After a dominant scrum by Lewes, the Lewes attack was able to create their first major chance, running deep into the Chichester 22, but unfortunately the ball was knocked on. Again Chichester were able to come back at Lewes after a kick into the Lewes 22, but after a penalty Lewes were able to clear the ball back into the Chichester half.

As the weather conditions worsened, both sides were guilty of handling errors and opportunities to break for the line became less frequent. Both sides struggled for dominance and play remained on the half way line. After a number of high intensity phases, Lewes were penalised for a high tackle and Chichester kicked for touch, bringing the half to an end with neither side having gained a score.

At the start of the second half both sides knew that the momentum could quickly shift to the first side who could gain points. After a Lewes kick off, Chichester were quick to push up and after putting Lewes under intense pressure in their 22, were able to force a penalty. Knowing this game would be about really tight margins, Chichester opted to kick for goal and put the first 3 points on the scoreboard.

Lewes head’s did not drop, and they came back quickly from the kick off and pinned Chichester down on their half way line. Chichester maintained intensity and were able to deny Lewes the space they needed in attack with quick line speed. Over the next 5 minutes Chichester had the momentum and were able to push deeper into the Lewes half. The Lewes defence looked strong, but the forward pack and backs were not able to make territory to move the ball to safety.

After 14 minutes of the half Chichester were able to cross the line again after a line out on the right wing. After a failed conversion the scores was Chichester 8, Lewes 0, with everything still to play for.

From the kick off Lewes went up a gear and pushed deep into the Chichester half. The Lewes forward pack were able to mount numerous phases and over the next 15 minutes maintained pressure on Chichester in their own half. Conditions continued to be difficult and both sides were guilty of a number of unforced handling errors, resulting in numerous scrums. Over this quarter the Lewes pack continued to grow in confidence and repeatedly drove the Chichester pack back during the scrum.

Twenty seven minutes into the half, Lewes were looking to push closer to the Chichester line, confidently parked outside the Chichester 22, when Chichester were able to intercept a pass, and with a run across the majority of the pitch, take the ball over the try line for their second score. With a successful conversion this put the scores at Chichester 15, Lewes 0.

From the kick off, Lewes went up a gear and quickly took the ball into Chichester’s 22, Within one minute they looked like they were about to take the ball over the line, when Chichester, under pressure to defend, were penalised for a high tackle on the line. A penalty try was awarded, and with six minutes on the clock Lewes were back in the game.

Lewes were quick to regain possession after the kick off, and continued to deny Chichester the opportunity to move outside of their half. The Lewes forwards and backs mounted numerous phases moving towards the Chichester try line on the left wing. The Chichester defence was pushed back on numerous occasions due to the intensity and speed of the attack. After agonising minutes Laurie Blomfield was able to crash the ball through the Chichester defence to score the second Lewes try in the space of 5 minutes. Louie Stokes was then able to convert a challenging kick to put the scores at Chichester 15, Lewes 14, with just under five minutes to play.

After the kick off, the Lewes forward pack pushed forward to open space for the attack, while the Chichester defence pushed back wave after wave of Lewes phases. At the last Chichester were able to gain possession and kick the ball into touch for the final whistle.

Despite the loss the Lewes Coaches knew they had witnessed two great sides, play in difficult conditions, with incredibly tight margins. Lewes came away with a losing bonus point and are still sitting strongly in the middle of the League One table.

Man of the match for Lewes was Finn Simmonds playing at number 3.

Lewes look forward to their next league match in November, away at Brighton.