LEWES THROUGH TO SEMI-FINAL

In perfect conditions for running rugby, Lewes secured their place in the semi-finals of the Sussex Shield with a comfortable 48 -10 victory against Seaford - although this was a more even match than their run-away win against the same opponents only 2 weeks earlier in their League match.
Lewes put the first points on the board after only 1 minute, an attacking move down the left flank being rounded-off by winger Will Feltham for the first, but unconverted, try of the match to open the lead at 5 - 0. Seaford however proved more tenacious than in their previous encounters and held off the hosts until the 25th minute before a swift move upfield by Lewes from inside their own 22 metre area enabled second-row Nathan Lowen to score under the posts, outside-half Yunshun Luk adding the extras to extend the lead to 12 - 0.This was followed only 3 minutes later by a great individual run by Luk for a try under the posts, which he also converted, to see his side pull away at 19 - 0.Just before the half-time break, the hosts won possession inside their own half and then sprinted upfield for Player-Coach Mike Stubbs to score out left, Luk converting, to enable Lewes to go in at the break with a healthy 26 - 0 advantage.
But like their recent League match, it was Seaford who opened the scoring in the second half, with a fine but unconverted, try wide out right by second-row Dom Joy to make it 26 - 5, but Lewes hit back straight from the re-start, centre Will Tobin picking up a loose ball to touch down under the posts, Luk converting, to see Lewes pull away once more at 33 - 5.
After 74 minutes, a fine break through the centre by Feltham saw him off-load the ball to prop-forward Alfie Hill in support for an unconverted try, 38 - 5; but Seaford hit back again a few minutes later, centre Darren Flynn scoring his side's second, but unconverted, try to make it 38 - 10.
Howver, Lewes's superior fitness then paid off as they controlled the remaining minutes of the match, scoring 2 more unconverted tries in the process from full-back Sam Durley and replacement forward Alex Johns, to round off a quarter-final victory by 48 -10.

Commenting after the match, Stubbs said: "A good performance from the boys after a lot of changes from two weeks ago. Everyone is looking forward to Crawley next week"

Lewes: Williams, Warren, Hill, Lowen, Dean,Hatch, Furse, Stubbs,Wood, Luk, O'Rourke, Halpin (Capt.), Tobin, Feltham, Durley (Reps., all used: Edwards, Wells, Johns).

On Saturday, Lewes play away at Crawley in the semi-final of the Sussex Shield, k.o. 3.00pm.

Following Lewes's match, the Bob Rogers Cup Final was played between Hove and Horsham in front of a large and vociferous crowd, Horsham eventually taking the honours after a close-fought encounter by 26 - 20.