FULL HOUSE FOR LEWES !

A combination of solid defence and fast-running backs saw Lewes turn a narrow half-time lead into a comprehensive win at the final whistle.
In ideal conditions - and in front of a large crowd (including several of Lewe's Sponsors, who had attended the pre-match luncheon) - it took the hosts only 3 minutes to get points on the board at 3 - 0 with a penalty by full back Jon Pitts from the visitors' 22 metre line. Twelve minutes later, a great burst upfield involving the whole team saw the ball fed out wide for right-winger and Captain, James Halpin, to score the first try of the match, Pitts adding the extras to extend Lewes's lead to 10 - 0. (unfortunately, Halpin was injured in the process of touching-down and had to be replaced by Seb Roberts).
Park House finally got their first points after 25 minutes with a penalty from their No. 10 to narrow the difference to 10 - 3. The next 10 minutes saw some scrappy play from both sides with neither side being able to establish any dominance and no further points were added by the half-time break.
The second half, however, was a thoroughly entertaining affair, with both sides attacking at will, but it was Lewes who - after relieving early Park House pressure with their disciplined defence - broke out on 49 minutes, enabling outside-centre Will Feltham to score in the corner, Pitts kicking a great conversion from out wide, to pull ahead at 17 - 3. This became 24 - 3 only 2 minutes later when, following a great move from inside their own half, inside-centre Dan Wade (pictured) finished off the attack with a fine team try, Pitts converting.
But with Lewes then taking their foot off the pedal, Park House hit back with a forwards drive and try near the posts, their No. 10 adding the extras to make it 24 - 10. Two minutes later, Lewes's flanker, Toby Mills, was yellow-carded for handling the ball in a ruck but, although temporarily reduced to 14 men, Lewes continued to play their fast attacking game. This paid off a few minutes later when outside-half Billy Shiell broke through for a well-worked, bonus-point, fourth try, Pitts's conversion seeing Lewes stretch their lead to 31 - 10.
To Park House's credit, they never gave up the fight and their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes later when an attacking move resulted in their No. 8 touching down in the corner, their outside-half converting, to pull closer at 31 - 17. Three minutes later, the gap narrowed further to 31 - 22 with a forwards' try under the posts, but their No. 10 inexplicably missed the simple conversion !
Although this fight-back by the visitors would have given most supporters some cause for concern, this was not shared by the Lewes team who immediately stepped-up the pace and, after winning ruck ball on the half-way line, surged upfield before passing the ball out wide to replacement winger Roberts for a wonderful try under the posts, Pitts slotting over the conversion, to see Lewes run out worthy winners by 38 - 22.
Lewes: Irvine, Warren, Raynor, Blunt, Lowen, Moule, Mills, Capon, Hewitt, Shiell, Halpin (Capt.), Wade,Feltham, Man, Pitts. (Reps., all used: Roberts, Morgan, Taylor).

In the Clubhouse after the match, Head Coach Chris Roberts commented:

"I got a lot of out this match. One thing is how close the League is and it will very much dependent on how you play on any given Saturday. Park House are bottom of the table but in a 20 minute purple patch, they were almost unplayable. I will not be surprised to see them take some scalps in the coming months. From a Lewes perspective, I was of course delighted to take another bonus point victory. There were times when it was not pretty but we are starting to gel as a squad and have an understanding of the "why" behind the "how" and "what" we are doing. We are beginning to make more and more good decisions and whilst there were mistakes, they are "good mistakes" as I would put it. Losing our 1stXV Captain and stalwart, James Halpin to injury will be a massive blow but I believe that there are several leaders that have emerged in the squad over the last month who will step up and take control. I would personally like to thank the Sponsors of the club who were out in force yesterday. 
With a week off next Saturday, attention will turn to the 2ndXV who I'm sure will put in a performance in the cup to go with their current unbeaten run in the league. I feel it is vital that for health of the club now and in the future that we have a competitive 2nd XV and I would be delighted to carry on having a selection headache each week. Aidan Byrne has and continues to do a magnificent job with this squad and I look forward to supporting him next Saturday."

Lewes 2nd's 100% win record continued on Saturday with another convincing victory, this time beating Seaford 2nd's at home by 39 - 10. Notably, the 2nd team had four U19's in their squad: Owen Edmonds, Cian Furlong, Mo Bacha and Sam Ticehurst.

Tries: Mo Bacha, Ollie Bowry, Harry Cripps (2), Owen Edmonds (2), Jack Nicholls.
Conversions: James Durrant (2)
Team: Mo Bacha, Ollie Bowry, Aidan Byrne, Fred Cole, Harry Cripps, James Durrant, Owen Edmonds, Joel Evans (Capt), Lewis Evans, Cian Furlong, Toby Janikoun, Sampson Lock, Kris Maloney, Chris Moore, Brian Moran, Jack Nichols, Toby Quelch, Simon Sampson, Sam Ticehurst.

Lewes 1st's are without a League game on Saturday, but the 2nd's have a Cup match away to Hellingly, with an early k.o. 1.00 pm.