Second half fight-back too late for Lewes

With several key players missing for this match against the fourth-placed team in the league, Lewes were forced to make several positional changes, and so it took until half-time for them to settle down and begin a second-half fight-back which pushed their hosts to the limit, but unfortunately they ran out of time to make their undoubted late superiority count.

The opening session saw the visitors on the attack, with the advantage of the slope, keeping ODs to within their own 22 metre zone and this pressure paid off after 10 minutes with a penalty for Lewes for offside. However, inside-centre and skipper Dan Wade's kick just slipped past the posts. ODs then fought their way back upfield, resulting in a penalty to them on the 22 metre line for a Lewes infringement which their outside-half kicked over to open the scoring at 3-0.

The next 20 minutes saw played concentrated in the middle of the pitch as both sides attempted to assert their authority and, although on the half-hour ODs were awarded another penalty 20 metres out, this was missed by their Number 10. The deadlock was finally broken just before the half-time whistle when the hosts' hooker scored following a flowing forwards move, the successful conversion seeing the Kent side go in at the break with a 10-0 cushion.

ODs started the second half on the ascendant, using both the slope and the powerful running of their giant Number 4. Following a penalty which was kicked to the line, they won the ensuing line-out and then passed the ball out wide for their left-winger to score an unconverted in the corner, seeing their lead extended to 15-0. But this spurred Lewes on as they finally got their rhythm back and - even though temporarily reduced to 14 men due to injuries - they responded with a great move down the right wing from within their own half, outside-centre Will Feltham touching down for a fine team try, Wade adding the extras to see his side pull back to 15-7.

The final quarter of the match belonged to the Sussex side as they were now able to bring their fast-running backs into the game and - with the hosts visibly tiring - launched wave after wave of attacking runs, rewarded with five minutes to go for a penalty; unfortunately, Wade once again missed the kick, and at this point Lewes' hardy band of supporters thought their team were going to come home with nothing to show for their spirited performance. But they were wrong! With seconds left, another attack enabled the ball to be fed back to winger Abe Bredin who coolly kicked over a drop-kick to make the final score 15-10, meaning that Lewes gained a valuable losing bonus-point for their efforts which keeps them in fifth place. Had the game lasted another five minutes, they may even have clinched the win.

A brave effort by all concerned (especially from second-row Lewis Evans, making his first-team debut) which, had they been at full strength and with better first-half performances in the line-out and ball-handling, could have made their Christmas even merrier.

After the match, Chris Roberts, Head Coach (who managed to make a cameo appearance himself as late replacement!) said:

"My half-time team talk was a quite straightforward and blunt one. I told the side how excited I was by the second half to come as we couldn't do much worse! Despite dominating possession and territory in the first quarter, we still had nothing to show for it. A lack of desire was disappointing in the second quarter. It wasn't until the final 20 minutes and some tactical (said very firmly with tongue in cheek) substitutions which resulted in some much needed go-forward and control of possession. Play was clinical and exciting but it was too much too late. ODs were good for their win but I think it fair to say they were happy the whistle went as I feel that if we had five more minutes the game would have been ours! I was really pleased with how we finished and this will carry over the Christmas break, ready to pick up against second placed Thanet at home on 6 January. I have really enjoyed seeing the side progress but reckon we have only operated at 70% of our capacity. I am a big believer that hard work pays off. We need to be working harder in 2018 to get our pay-offs"

Lewes: Warren, Bowry, Rainier, Lowen, Evans, Moule, Robinson, Mills, Hewitt, Shiell, Taylor, Wade (Capt.), Feltham, Blunt, Bredin. (reps, both used: Williams, Roberts).

Lewes now go into the Festive break, their next match being on 6 January at home to second-place Thanet Wanderers, k.o. 2.00pm.

Lewes Rugby Club wish all their members, sponsors and supporters a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!