We knew this was going to be a tough away trip, especially with unavailabilities meaning we travelled with only 16 players. We made things hard for ourselves in the first half with plenty of silly mistakes. However, we played much more direct in the seco

- Player-Coach Mike Stubbs

It is always a sign of any good sports team that, even though not playing to their full potential, they still manage to keep on winning - and so it proved for Lewes on Saturday who returned home from Gillingham with a hard-fought bonus-point victory which consolidates their third-place League position.

With a much-changed squad, it was not surprising that Lewes took some time to settle down and Gillingham took full advantage of the visitors' many first-half errors by storming into a 24-10 lead at the break. Lewes' points were scored via a try from fly-half Abe Bredin who also slotted over the conversion and one penalty.

Whether it was because of Player-Coach Mike Stubb's half-time talk, or Lewes finally getting their act together which made the difference, Lewes completely dominated the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points with further tries from Luke Raynor and Ben Booth, with one conversion by Bredin, to see Lewes draw close at 24-22. Then, with seconds remaining, Bredin touched down for his second try to grasp the points out of their opponents' hands for a hard-won victory.

On the bus home, Stubbs commented: "We knew this was going to be a tough away trip, especially with unavailabilities meaning we travelled with only 16 players. We made things hard for ourselves in the first half with plenty of silly mistakes. However, we played much more direct in the second half and showed great attitude to win from 14 points down".

Lewes: Raynor, Hill, Morgan, Lee, Blunt, Hatch, Dean, Stubbs, Costigan, Bredin, Feltham, Shiell, Booth, Tagg, Halpin (Capt), (Rep. used: Moule)

Lewes 2nds also came back against Eastbourne away to draw 10-10 with a try apiece from Jack Nichols and Josh Farr. This game also marked the adult debut for Colts player Mitchell Perks.

On Sunday, the U16s hosted Eastbourne in the League and won 47-0 to take them to the top of the table. It was not the greatest game of the season but the performance picked up in the second half. Eastbourne unfortunately were only able to field 14 players. Lewes' tries were scored by Alan Chumbley (2), Adrigh Cole (2), Harvey Joy, Elliot Curl and Harry Hunter plus four conversions from Henry Hughes and two from Thomas Rourke. The U17s game against East Grinstead was postponed as Lewes' opponents could not field a side.

Lewes Ladies won against Worthing who had to concede the League points due to a lack of numbers. However, rugby was still played as a friendly 12-a-side session with some of the Lewes Ladies guesting for Worthing.

On Saturday, Lewes 1sts' host local rivals Eastbourne, ko 2.00pm, the match being preceded by the Club's Annual Vice-Presidents' Lunch