RECORD SCORE FOR LEWES

As most pundits would have predicted, this contest beteen League-leaders Lewes and bottom-placed Midhurst was always going to be a one-sided affair, and so it turned out - Lewes scoring 20 tries from 9 different players, with centre Nick Sharp slotting over 17 conversions, for the hosts to set a record score for the 1st XV.
It took Lewes only 2 minutes to get on the scoreboard, new signing - left-winger Charlie Brampton - sprinting down the left for try in the corner, Sharp adding the extras to start the ball rolling at 7 - 0. This was followed only one minute later by an attack from inside their own half, ending with centre Henry Shiell running fully 50 metres down the pitch before touching down under the posts, Sharp kicking over to extend the lead to 14 - 0.
A third try from full-back Dan Wade on 11 minutes, converted by Sharp, made it 21 - 0 and after only 18 minutes, the hosts had scored their fourth, bonus-point try by outside-half Henry Tagg, also converted by Sharp, to pull away at 28 - 0.
Further tries from flanker Nathan Lowen (3), Tagg, veteran right-winger Steve Mills, Shiell, and scrum-half Owen Jones, with another 7 conversions from Sharp, saw Lewes go in at the break with an unassailable 77 - 0 lead.
Lewes continued their free-flowing, attacking game straight from the re-start right to the final whistle, scoring another 9 tries from Player-Coach Mike Stubbs (3) , Wade, Mills (2) , Lowen, Shiell and stalwart Jon Pitts (pictured) , returning after an 18 month lay-off due to injury. Another 6 conversions from Sharp ended the rout at 134 - 0 to the home side.
In the Clubhouse afterwards, Midhurst - in spite of their heavy defeat - magnanimously entered into the spirit of the post-match awards and at least won the drinking contest!
Player-Coach Mike Stubbs recognised his opponents character in his post-match comments: "After a few tough wins against Haywards Heath, Hove, and Worthing, we were able to express ourselves a little more today. Huge credit to Midhurst, who travelled the hour and half with 15 players and never stopped playing, and were committed right until the end ."

Lewes:- Williams, Hill, Cripps, Creed, Gorbell, Dean, Lowen, Stubbs, Jones, Tagg, Brampton, Sharp, Shiell, Mills, Wade. (Reps., both used: Pitts, Symonds)

On Saturday, Lewes 1st's have a rest day but the 2nd's visit local rivals Newick for a re-arranged League match, k.o. 3.00pm