After a disappointing opening loss at Burgess Hill last Saturday, Lewes secured a narrow but deserved win over local rivals Seaford in their first home game of the season. In atrocious conditions it was the visitors - with the benefit of a strong following wind - who opened the scoring after only 4 minutes when Lewes were penalised for offside on their 22 metre line, enabling Seaford's No. 12, Corey Digby-Clarke, to slot over the kick to put the first points on the scoreboard - 0 - 3.
This lead extended to 0 - 6 eight minutes later with a second penalty from Digby-Clarke for a ruck infringement by the hosts, but on 20 minutes Lewes took the lead with a penalty try after a Seaford player was seen to be scragging his opponent as the latter was about to go over. This made the score 7 - 6 which remained the position at half-time, with a couple of missed penalties by Seaford being the only remaining incidents in a half dominated by the conditions.
This state of affairs continued into what turned out to be a scoreless second half, even though Lewes - now with the wind behind them - dominated territory and possession, limiting Seaford to only a couple of forays into their half.
Only spirited defence and a string of unforced errors - as one might expect in such conditions - prevented the hosts from adding to their points tally, and so the match ended with the same 7 - 6 score as it was after 40 minutes.
Although understandably not an outstanding display of rugby, credit must go to both sides - and the referee (who had a very good match) - for trying to entertain the large and vociferous crowd who had braved the elements to watch a competitive local game of rugby at last after many months of forced inactivity due to the pandemic.
Lewe's Man-of-the-Match was No. 8, Kieran Morris.
Lewes: Gage, Bowry, Dadswell, Sale, Evans (Capt.), Gribble, Lunnis, Morris, Taylor, Errigo, Awdry, Moule, Carmichael, Reid, Basquill. (Reps.all used: Bacha, Austin, Shiell).

The match was preceded by a one minute's silence in honour of Seaford's Bar Manager who sadly passed away recently after many years of service to his Club.

(Lewes 2nd's home game versus Hastings 2 was cancelled due to the unavailability of a match referee).

Lewes are without a game on Saturday, but the 2nd's have a match, away against Hellingly, k.o. 3.00pm.

The 1st. XV return to League duties on 16th. October with an away match against Hove 2's, k.o. 3.00pm, while the 2nd's are at home to Rye on the same day.
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Before the kick-off, Lewes launched their "Lewes RFC Pride Club" - based upon its historic lion emblem - at a luncheon attended by many regulars, as well as Sponsors and guests from Seaford RFC. This new initiative is aimed at increasing the community feel of the Club; enabling previous players/members to feel officially connected to Lewes RFC; to enable members meet old friends; and to enable LRFC to be one of the best amateur clubs in the country.
To join the Pride Club, please register a Lewes RFC account and join as a "club member" We will then add you to the Pride Club group.