LEWES WIN LOCAL DERBY

In wet and windy conditIons at Waterhall, Lewes pulled off another convincing bonus-point win to stay top of the League with a game in hand.
Before the kick-off, a one-minute's silence was held in memory of Hove RFC and Sussex RFU stalwart, Mike Richardson, who sadly passed away earlier in the week.
From the kick-off, Brighton immediately went into attacking mode, and their efforts were rewarded after 10 minutes when Lewes were penalised for offside 25 metres from the posts, enabling the host's No. 4 to kick over to open the scoring at 3 - 0. As it turned out, this proved to be Brighton's only points of the match as Lewes gradually began to exert their authority and cut down on their earlier handling and passing errors. Just on the half-hour, they took the lead 3 - 5 with a fine try out wide from outside-half Billy Shiell, centre Nick Sharp's conversion attempt bouncing back off the posts.Their increasing possession and territory saw them score a second try as the half-time whistle was about to blow, Player-Coach and No. 8 Mike Stubbs finishing off a strong forwards surge towards the line, touching down near the posts which made it easier for Sharp to add the extras to go in at the break with a 3 - 12 advantage.
Almost straight from the re-start, Lewes won loose ball in midfield which full-back Dan Wade - coming into the line - scooped up before sprinting fully 45 metres for a great individual try under the posts, Sharp's conversion stretching the lead to 3 - 19.
Lewes continued to dominate the second half and any attempts by Brighton to score were thwarted by strong and disciplined Lewes defence. Stubbs scored his second - and Lewes's bonus-point fourth - try 7 minutes later after a pick-up and run, but the conversion was missed;nevertheless the visitors now held a healthy 3 - 24 advantage. Ten minutes from the end of play Lewes pulled away at 3 - 29 with a well-worked try from right-winger Will Feltham, but Wade fluffed his conversion attempt.
Stubbs completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds of the match, this time Wade kicking over the conversion, to see Lewes run out worthy winners by 3 - 36.
Man-of-the Match was second-row Tom Creed whose penetrative play over the whole 80 minutes was a credit to his committment and fitness to a well-honed Lewes outfit.
Lewes:- Hill, Warren, Edwards, Gorbell, Creed, Tobin, Hatch, Stubbs, Jones, Shiell, Hobden, Halpin (Capt.), Sharp, Feltham, Wade (Reps., all used: Dean, Williams, Templeton).

On Saturday, Lewes face their biggest challenge of the season, playing away to promotion rivals Haywards Heath in a re-arranged League fixture. As Heath are the only side to have (narrowly) beaten Lewes so far, this could prove to be the definitive clash between the top 2 sides in Sussex League 1. Kick-off at Whitemans Green is 2.30pm.