This pre-season friendly against a side which plays in a League higher than Lewes’ London 3 South-East proved a good testing ground before the new season starts in earnest next week. The opportunity was taken to re-instate former Lewes players returning to the squad following last season’s League and Cup double, as well as blooding new players – including 17-year-old centre George Tagg (son of former stalwart Treve), who made his senior debut when coming on in the second half.

The first try of the match came after only four minutes, when a missed pass by Lewes as they attacked the host’s line was intercepted, enabling Heathfield’s scrum-half to score near the posts for an unconverted try to open the scoring at 5-0. But the visitors hit back three minutes later, an unconverted try by right-winger Abe Bredin finishing off a flowing move to level at 5-5. Lewes were now getting back to the form they showed throughout last season and on 17 minutes were rewarded with their second try, a quickly-taken tap penalty seeing the ball passed out to second-row Chris Gorbell to touch down wide out left, full-back Dan Wade’s magnificent conversion against a swirling wind seeing his side take the lead at 5-12. After 35 minutes, however, Heathfield equalised with a well-worked try from their left-winger, converted by their inside-centre to make it 12-12.

Lewes went on to the offensive straight from the re-start, resulting in a penalty try after left-winger Gus Taylor was obstructed as he was about to touch down, inside centre Billy Shiell adding the extras to see the visitors pull ahead at 12-19. But once again the hosts fought back to equalise, 19-19 with a converted try after a forward drive under Lewes’ posts.

However, with Lewes’s backs now reverting to the scintillating form of last season, assisted by a well-organised defence, they went into the break with a healthy 19-29 advantage with further, but unconverted, tries from Taylor and Bredin.

As befitting this see-saw match, the second half began with Heathfield pulling back to
24-29 with another unconverted try from their right-winger as he burst through Lewes’ defence to score near the posts, but this only prompted Lewes to reply by scoring a fine try almost straight from the re-start, Wade picking up the ball and sprinting fully 50 metres down the right touchline for an individual try which he also converted to see Lewes pull away once more at 24-36. On the hour, the hosts put some respectability onto the scoreboard with the final try of the match from their right-winger to narrow the gap to 29-36, which remained the score-line at the final whistle as Lewes defended their lead with discipline and determination.

This was an encouraging start for Lewes against tough opponents, which should put them in good stead for their opening League match on Saturday, at home to Pulborough, k.o. 3.00pm.

Meanwhile on Sunday the ladies team took part in a tournament at Seaford winning two 40 minute games 26-5 vs Seaford and 5-0 vs Portsmouth and a cup which is ready for display in the clubhouse!