The boys dominated again but it was nice to see us turn that dominance into points this week. Some of the tries we scored were outstanding. We were a little disrupted by injuries in the second half but adapted well to keep the pressure on.

- Player-coach Mike Stubbs

In foggy conditions, Lewes' stronger pack of forwards and speedy backs proved too much for local rivals Eastbourne who were overwhelmed by 7 tries to 1 - a result which, with Haywards Heath defeating Pulborough, sees Lewes move up to equal second place in the League table along with the latter team, with only points difference separating them both.

Lewes started the match in attacking form, forcing Eastbourne onto the defensive, and opened their account after 12 minutes when flanker Nathan Lowen picked up the ball from the back of a ruck and sped fully 35 metres before touching down near the posts. The conversion was slotted over by former Colt, George Tagg - scoring his first points for the Senior XV - to see his side open the scoring at 7-0. The next 10 minutes was more even but then Lewes moved up a gear, placing pressure on the visitors for long periods, as a result of which Eastbourne's second-row was yellow-carded for a shoulder-charge tackle.

Lewes took advantage of their extra man by moving ahead 12-0 on 27 minutes with an unconverted try from hooker Alfie Hill, followed just before the half-time whistle with Lowen's second try after another surging run by Lewes, Tagg kicking over the extras to see Lewes go in at the break with a healthy 19-0 lead.

From the restart, Lewes attacked, taking play into Eastbourne's 22 metre zone, enabling them to secure their fourth, bonus-point try after 53 minutes from Player-Coach Mike Stubbs, Tagg converting, to stretch the advantage to 26-0.This became 31-0 only three minutes later as a brilliant move from the backs - in particular a rarely-seen reverse pass from winger Gus Taylor - set inside-centre Abe Bredin free for a great, albeit, unconverted try.

Lewes's pack were now dominating all phases, enabling them to secure the territory and possession to regularly feed the ball to the impressive back line, which restricted their opponents to a long period of defensive play. In the final quarter of the match, Eastbourne's resistance once again broke as Hill darted over for his second try - with a great conversion from wide out by outside-half Shane Costigan - to pull away at 38-0. But to Eastbourne's credit, they never gave up the chase and were rewarded with an unconverted try a few minutes later from their left-winger to make it 38-5. Lewes reverted to type for the closing minutes of the match, scoring their final try just near the end by Costigan, which he also converted, to see Lewes run out worthy winners by
45-5 in front of large, and appreciative festive crowd.

The only down-side of this performance was a serious foot injury to Taylor who will now be out for the rest of the season, adding to Lewes' growing injury list in this competitive League.

Stubbs said after the game: "The boys dominated again but it was nice to see us turn that dominance into points this week. Some of the tries we scored were outstanding. We were a little disrupted by injuries in the second half but adapted well to keep the pressure on. We'll enjoy the Christmas break and look forward to come back firing on 7 January."

Lewes: Raynor, Hill, Morgan, Lee, Blunt, Hatch, Lowen, Stubbs, Millis-Ward, Costigan, Taylor, Tagg, Bredin, Mills, Halpin (Capt). (reps, all used: Sayers, Moule, Rourke).

Later in the evening, Lewes's clubhouse was visited by 14 Santa Clauses - and 1 Mrs S Clause: see picture - who were later seen adding to the Christmas festivities around the town!

Lewes return to action after the Christmas break with an away trip to Old Dunstonians on 7 January 2017, k.o. 2.00pm.

Also at the Stanley Turner Ground, Lewes and Newick 2nds played a Christmas friendly over three 20 minute periods and swapped a few players to add to the fun. The first period was 22-5 to Lewes with tries by Simon Sampson, Harry Weston, Gerrard Basson and Phil Rowland with the last converted by Harry Jackson. In the second period, Lewes won 19-12 with tries from Nick Rourke, Freddy Mouland and Jackson who also converted two. In the final period, Newick won 17-20 with two of Lewes' tries scored by Freddy Mouland and one converted, making the overall tally 58-37 to Lewes! (Mouland and Joe Barber are the latest two Colts to make their adults' debuts, alongside Mitchell Perks who had his second game in two weeks and scored a try for Newick in the final period).

Lewes RFC wishes all its members, supporters and friends a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!