Despite the vile weather with storm gales blowing in over the South Downs every hour, miraculously all the junior games went ahead and the Lewes boys performed very well with wins for the U13s, 14s, 16s and Colts. The minis visited Eastbourne as part of the Sussex Minis Festival. With only one usable pitch at home, it was just as well that the schedule was limited to two games with the U15s helpfully reorganising their game as an away fixture.

The U12s took part in a waterfall fixture as part of the Sussex Festival which will go some way to determining where they start in next season's waterfall leagues. 20 Lewes U12s braved the decidedly changeable elements. With ground conditions more suitable to mud wrestling and the ball as slippery as an eel this was going to be a day of close margins. The first game started with an intensity which Lewes normally only find later in the day. Brighton could not compete with the pressure at the breakdown and sizzling line speed. They never came close to the Lewes line and so Lewes ran out worthy winners which was a welcome boost to start the day. The next game was against one of the two Burgess Hill teams and Lewes' starting line-up included all the players who did not start in the first game. Game three was against Eastbourne and again Lewes did not always play to their strengths and when on the back foot their circulation of the ball was, according to coach Bob Lockyer "a tad panicked on occasion. However we dug deep and another good performance was put in by all players." The fourth game was also against old rivals Hastings where strong forward play was again in evidence and Lewes' support at the breakdown was quicker. Emulating Eddie Jones they drew from a bench of "finishers" and a good performance was exhibited by all concerned. The final game was against the second Brighton team. Lewes started with the same drive and enthusiasm they had against their other team and both sides showed great effort.This was an end-to-end game with the Lewes players putting in a fantastic performance and not allowing Brighton an inch. The forward pressure in the final minute was worthy of an international. However Lewes lost by just a single try which was the only score of the game and an illustration of what a close run game this was.

The U13s played some of the best rugby they have played all season against an Eastbourne side that were more of a challenge than the scoreline (recorded as 60-10 to Lewes) suggests. Lewes started brightly with some quick ball from the breakdown and excellent handling leading to three quick tries in succession. Eastbourne then rallied midway through the half but some sterling defensive work by Lewes kept them at bay. Lewes scored four more times before their defences were eventually breached just before half time. Heavy rain and wind meant that the second half was a rather more scrappy affair and Lewes' passing was not as fluent but they still scored another five tries to Eastbourne's one. The fact that nine different Lewes players each scored is a testimony to a terrific team effort and fantastic work from all 18 players in the match day squad. One of the most pleasing aspects was the encouragement that the Lewes players gave each other throughout the game. Man of the match was Myles Govus who carried brilliantly with the ball in both hands and made the most metres as well as scoring a hat-trick. Try scorers: John Weir, Myles Govus (3), Alfred Monnery, Jack Soltermann (2), Finley Toghill, George Elder, Geordie Gwynn and Freddie Collard.

Having played Horsham three times this season and lost each time, this was always going to be a tough game for the U14s (pictured). Playing against the wind in the first half Lewes spent the first 10 minutes pinned in their half and when they kicked out the ball landed in the lap of the Horsham fullback who ran in an excellent solo effort, which was then duly converted. This was shortly followed by a second but unconverted score. Lewes were making over-ambitious passes, a few knock-ons, shipping the ball out wide from first phase and were a bit defensively disorganised. Only some try-saving tackles out wide and staunch defence on Lewes' own line kept the scoreline down. However Lewes figured out what needed to be done, kept the ball in hand and ran through the phases using the forwards to punch around the edges of the breakdown, clear out and go again. The pressure meant Horsham eventually conceded a penalty and Ben Bishop ran the 10 or so yards with pace and power to score under the posts which was duly slotted over. The half-time score line was 7-12.

In the second half, the forwards repeatedly punched around the edges of the breakdown, securing the ruck ball. Keeping the ball in hand, Lewes worked their way down the field and in the 22 once again applied the pressure leading to a few penalties. They then elected to ship the ball out wide down the line and their decision proved the right one with George Cade on the end of the line touching down to level the score. For the winning try the forwards worked down the right hand side before the ball was spun out down the backs line and Ben Bishop popped up on the wing to score and lead the game 17-12. Coach Ben Green commended their opponents and said that "the final 5-10 minutes were a very tense affair and felt like the top-class test match on which every or any little mistake or passage of play could be crucial. Indeed a few turnovers and knock-ons could have led to Horsham scoring to draw or win had they converted."

The U15s lost away to Heathfield 56-5 but the U16s beat East Grinstead 38-0 with tries by Merlin Evans-Freke (2), Elliot Curl, Luke Reed, Adrigh Cole and Alan Chumbley as well as four conversions by Henry Hughes.

But the most welcome victory came for the Colts who have struggled for wins this season and revisited Crawley after an U17s/16s game three weeks ago resulted in a loss. Despite only having 17 fit and available players and ending the first half 12-0 down, they came back with a bang in the second half to win 12-15 with tries by full-back Kieran Edmonds, second row Dexter Vigar and prop Jacob Bishop. Colts Head Coach Russ Dean commented that they "believed in what l said at half-time, took that on board and started to believe in themselves. My favourite moment was us receiving the second half kick-off and then completing 10-15 phases of ruck, dragon, crash, ruck rugby and not coughing the ball up until we were under their posts." Jordan Bowman was nearly man of the match for the ferocity with which he competed in a 1 v 4 counter ruck. Other commendable mentions and nearly man of the match go to Owen Edmonds for tireless work and motivation, Kieran Edmonds for coming out on top against a strong fast opponent and Jacob Bishop for his try and general effort. However man of the match was Dexter Vigar for his try but more for his constant work rate which the rest of the forwards only matched in the second half.