Lewes leap to top of table

In perfect conditions, and in front of a large local-derby crowd, Lewes had to withstand an early onslaught from the visitors before pulling away for a comfortable bonus-point win which sees them top of the League table with a 100% record so far.
But all the initial pressure came from Seaford, who surprised the hosts with strong rucking and mauling and clever use of the ball they secured as a result. This forced Lewes into several unforced errors, one of which enabled fly-half Paul Hardwick to kick over for a 0 - 3 lead after only a few minutes.But Lewes responded almost immediately, winning good scrum ball inside Seaford's 22 metre area, ending with Player-Coach No. 8 Mike Stubbs plunging over near the posts for an unconverted try to snatch the lead at 5 - 3.On the quarter hour, however, a second Hardwick penalty put his team back in front, 5 - 6, which was soon extended to 5 - 9 with the No.10's third penalty. Three minutes later, Lewes hit back to re-gain the advantage at 12 - 9 with a fine drive upfield which resulted in a penalty against the visitors. This was quickly tapped by scrum-half Owen Jones who then dived over for a great try, the conversion being slotted over by full-back Nick Sharp. Lewes were now gaining the ascendant and were only prevented from going further ahead at the half-time break by spirited Seaford tackling in defence.
Lewes started the second half briskly, a great attack culminating in second-row Jack Nayler touching down for Lewes's third try (pictured above), Sharp adding the extras to extend his side's lead to 19 - 9.Then came Seaford's only points of the second half - Hardwick's fourth penalty to make it 19 - 12.
Lewes were now dominating most phases of the game, winning both territory and possession, which saw them score further tries from centre Will Tobin and Mike Stubbs, with Sharp kicking one conversion, to pull away and secure a fine victory by 31 - 12.
In the Clubhouse afterwards, the players voted hooker Fraser Warren as Man -of -the Match.

Lewes: Hill, Warren, Cripps, Muston, Nayler, Blunt, Hatch, Stubbs, Jones, Shiell, Cullinane, Tobin, Dowd, Petty, Sharp. (Reps., all used: Sayers, Dean, Brown).

On Saturday, Lewes host second-placed Haywards Heath, k.o. 1.00pm at the Stanley Turner Ground.