LEWES CONSOLIDATE LEAD AT TOP

Another convincing win for Lewes which sees them consolidate their position as League leaders.
It took the hosts only one minute to open the scoring, running the ball from deep to enable left-winger Charlie Hobden (pictured) to score near the posts , but full-back Dan Wade's fluffed conversion attempt reduced the points advantage to only 5 - 0. From the re-start, Lewes were penalised for offside, resulting in Chichester putting their first points on the board at 5 - 3 with a successful kick from their outside-half. From this point on, Lewes began to dominate affairs and responded immediately with a fine flowing move upfield finished off by outside-centre Henry Shiell - this time Wade's conversion attempt was successful, seeing his side extend the advantage to 12 - 3. The hosts' third try swiftly followed after another impressive attacking move which saw right-winger Will Feltham touch down, Wade's extras making it at 19 - 3. Lewes's fourth, bonus-point try came after only 26 minutes, this time with a bullocking crash through Chichester's defence by second-row Harry Cripps which Wade converted to make it 26 - 3. But Lewes were not finished, Cripps scoring his second, but unconverted, try just before the break to finish the half 31 - 3 to the good.
In the second half Chichester were able to come more into the game as Lewes - not surprisingly with the winning points in the bag -took their foot of the pedal - but not before they went into a commanding 38 - 3 lead on 47 minutes with Hobden's second try, converted by Wade. It took them another 12 minutes before they could add to this score, Henry Shiell touching down for his second try, Wade slotting over the extras, to pull further ahead at 45 - 3.This became 50 - 3 only 2 minutes later when 17 year-old Colts player, replacement winger Pat O'Rourke - making his debut for the 1st team - finished off another attacking move to score an unconverted try in the left corner. To Chichester's credit, they never gave up the fight and were rewarded for their efforts just before the final whistle with a consolation, but unconverted, try by their right winger out wide in the corner to end the contest at 50 - 8 to Lewes.
Man-of-the -Match for Lewes was Hobden, while Player-Coach Mike Stubbs had this to say: "We were very patchy today. At times, we played some great rugby but at times were very poor.Charlie Hobden was outstanding and finished his tries brilliantly".

Lewes:- Hill, Warren, Williams, Cripps, Blunt, Lowden, Hatch, Stubbs, Jones, W.Shiell, Feltham, H. Shiell, Halpin (Capt.), Hobden, Wade (reps., all used:rourke, Lock, Durley).

Lewes 2nd's game at Newick was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

On Saturday, Lewes travel to Haywards Heath for what is expected to be the crunch match in Sussex Spitfire League 1 between the 2 top contenders for promotion, kick-off 2.00pm. The first game earlier in the season was a very close-fought affair with the honours going to Heath, but Lewes hope that their recent improvement in form will enable them to turn the tables this time round. The Club would encourage as many of their supporters as possible to make the short journey to cheer on their side in what could prove to be the definitive moment of the season.