Lewes RFC

Not being able to come into the opening game of the season with some pre-season friendlies behind them meant that there was an unknown quality about how things would go in this game. Lewes were also giving four players their first ever starts for the team, but started the game strongly, launching attack after attack until eventually Curtis Burch crossed over for the first try after a strong run from Tom Roy.

However, Shoreham responded well, and although they missed a penalty, a try soon followed that was converted to give them the lead. Jack Soltermann, who had scored a hat trick of tries in the final game of last season, continued his fine form with a great run through the Shoreham defence to score under the posts making the conversion a formality.

This made the score 7-12, with the tide now running in Lewes’ favour. Another great break from Soltermann saw him set up Elliot Mills for a further converted try that gave Lewes a twelve point lead. Things were looking good for the visitors, but at this point Jack Soltermann had to leave the field, which had the effect of Lewes losing the momentum they had built up, and it was Shoreham who were to obtain the next three scores.

The first was a penalty goal to reduce the deficit, and then, just before half time, they got another goal to go into half time just two points down at 17-19. They kicked off the second half and surprised Lewes straight away with a try that was converted to put a very different complexion on the state of the game. Alex Bray did pull things back to 24-22 with a penalty goal, but then missed another attempt that would have taken Lewes into the lead again.

As the game entered the last quarter, Lewes came back strongly with Soltermann back on the field, but it was Tom Petty who produced the magic moment, just as he had last year at Buckingham Park, when to the delight of the Lewes supporters, he stormed through for a try that Alex Bray converted to give Lewes a 24-29 lead.

At this point the Lewes supporters were wondering if that would be enough, but Shoreham soon made sure it wasn’t with a try and a conversion to come that would give them the lead again. The kick was missed and the scores were now level at 29 each. Two more goals from Lewes then settled the match as tries from Elliot Mills and Ben Bishop were both converted by Alex Bray to finish the game at 29-43.

With the lead changing five times during the course of the afternoon this was a game that certainly whetted the appetite for the matches ahead. And the next one is at home to Horsham on Saturday 3rd October when we are holding a Members Lunch to start the season in style. 

This season we have decided to use an online ticketing system for the club lunches.  This will provide us with a clear idea of numbers well ahead of time and will make payment collection much easier and efficient. If you are planning on attending, please could you purchase a ticket to the lunch using the new system.

The weblink is Lewes RFC - Members' Lunch - 3 October 2026

Lewes team: Soltermann; George-Coker, R. Green (captain), Mills, Roy; Bray, Foster; Thomas, Bishop, Raynor; Bradford, Taylor; Burch, Duncan, Medhurst. Replacements: A. Green, Petty, Rees.

 Try scorers: Burch, Soltermann, Mills (2), Petty, Bishop.