LEWES LOSE OUT IN HIGH-SCORING FRIENDLY

The new season opened on Saturday on a warm and sunny day and in front of a large and holiday-mood crowd. The match was played over 4 sessions to enable all players in both sides' large squads to have a run-out.
It was the hosts - playing in red shirts due to a clash of colours with the Surrey team - who opened the season's scoring in the first session, full-back Dan Wade coming into the line before kicking ahead for a fine try, the conversion being slotted over by outside-half Jon Pitts (coming back to Lewes after a stint at Cardiff University). But the visitors then hit back with 3 converted tries - 2 from their lofty and strong-running outside centre - to end the opening quarter 7 - 21 ahead.
The second session was more evenly matched, Lewes's new scrum-half Hector Veasey scoring an unconverted try, with the visitors adding another goal in response to make the score 12 - 28. The next 20 minutes saw a similar outcome - forward James Brooker touching down for Lewes's third try, Pitts converting, while Warlingham added another converted try to end the third session 19 - 35 in the lead.
This they extended to 33 - 50 at the whistle, Lewes's points coming via Wade's second try, and a fine pick-up-and-run try via right-winger Tom Petty, Pitts's converting both, while Warlingham added 3 more unconverted tries.

After his first competitive game with his new Club, Coach Chris Roberts commented:-

"I am absolutely delighted with the game and thank Warlingham for coming over. The effort from the Lewes squad was superb and I believe that having a tough game in pre-season is essential preparation for the League campaign. It is only in matches like this that you can put into practice, under pressure, the bits that have been worked on in the pre-season. It was great to able to see 21 players take part in the game and put their hand up for a squad place when the league starts next week. Warlingham were a bit more polished than us in some areas, but they could not live with our outstanding counter attack and broken field field running. The lads were blowing at the end and match fitness will only come with match play over the coming weeks. It was great to see a busy touchline of supporters and I am hopeful that we will be playing in a style this season that will bring more. Selection will be difficult this week but those not selected will bolster the 2ndXV squad and fight for a 1stXV spot".

Lewes Squad: Luke Raynor, Fraser Warren, Sean Sayers, James Brooker, Harry Pryer, Sam Furse, Elliot Moule, Tom Hatch, Hector Veasey, Jon Pitts, Kai Man, James Halpin (Capt.), Abe Bredin, Tom Petty, Dan Wade, Gus Taylor, Ed Pope, Max Taylor, Toby Mills, Will Feltham, Jack Nichols.

Lewes's opening League match on Saturday is away to Bromley, k.o.3.00pm.