We might have the supporters groaning at times, but the tries we scored today would have also had them purring with delight. We must remember this is a very young side and will only get better and better!

- Head Coach Chris Roberts

This was a cracking game between two evenly-matched sides, Thanet second in the League against fifth-placed Lewes, but in the final analysis, the higher number of unforced errors by the hosts gifted their impressive visitors the extra penalty points which eventually cost Lewes the match.

See Danny Simpson's photos of the game here>>

Thanet started the match with some force, their powerful pack of forwards driving upfield and being rewarded with an unconverted push-over try after only two minutes to open the scoring at 0-5. But only one minute later, Lewes hit back with their first foray into Thanet's half ending with a penalty for offside which right-winger Jon Pitts slotted over to narrow the gap to 3-5. Thanet restored their advantage to 3-8 almost immediately with another penalty, but from the re-start Lewes equalised 8-8 with an unconverted try after a fine flowing attack was finished off by inside-centre Ben Booth.

The hosts took the lead 11-8 for the first time a few minutes later when Pitts kicked over a penalty in front of the posts after a Thanet obstruction but the see-saw nature of the match continued as Thanet stormed back upfield for their second push-over try, the conversion going wide, to restore their lead at 11-13. The next 10 minutes saw Thanet dominate both territory and possession, forcing Lewes to concede another penalty on 26 minutes to see their opponents draw further ahead at 11-16. But then Lewes's fighting spirit - a feature of their play all season - forced Thanet onto the back foot, winning line-out ball on the visitors' 22 metre line before spinning it wide out right for influential outside-centre Hector Veasey to touch down, Pitts adding the extras, to go back in front at 18-16. This increased to 25-16 almost from the re-start with a fantastic team try rounded off by Number 8 Luke Robinson under the posts, Pitts kicking the conversion. However, two unforced errors by Lewes then let Thanet back into the game just before the half-time whistle, gifting them two more tries (including a bonus-point fourth try) and one conversion to go in at the break with a slender 25-28 lead.

Thanet went further ahead six minutes into the second half when poor defence by Lewes let in their left-winger for a soft, but unconverted, try in the corner to stretch out to 25-33 but 15 minutes later Lewes' large band of supporters applauded the tenacity of their team as they proceeded to score the best try of the match - running the ball from within their own 22 metre zone and then passing between forwards and backs for a great bonus-point try under the posts by scrum-half Gus Taylor, Pitts adding the conversion to see his side pull back to 32-33 with only a few minutes to go. But any hopes of a possible victory were dashed as two more unnecessary penalties were then conceded, seeing Thanet end the match with a 32-39 victory. Nevertheless, by finishing within seven points of their opponents, Lewes earned a second losing bonus-point which sees them stay in fifth place.

After the match Head Coach Chris Roberts commented:

"Today was a case of 'coulda/woulda/shoulda!' Probably the most frustrated I have been all season. The main part due to the fact that we once again showed that we are a match for anyone in the League.......however we also showed huge naivety just before half-time with the score swinging by 12 points in the opposition's favour. That said, the effort from the whole squad was immense. We might have the supporters groaning at times, but the tries we scored today would have also had them purring with delight. We must remember this is a very young side and will only get better and better!"

Man-of-the-Match voted for by the Lewes squad was loose-head prop, Luke Raynor (pictured).

Lewes: 1. Luke Raynor, 2. Fraser Warren,3. Casey Morgan, 4.Lewis Evans, 5.Nathan Lowen, 6.Tom Hatch, 7.Elliot Moule, 8. Luke Robinson, 9. Gus Taylor, 10. Dan Wade (Capt),11.Will Feltham, 12. Ben Booth,13. Hector Veasey, 14. Jon Pitts, 15. Billy Shiell, 16. Jack Edwards, 17. Toby Mills, 18. Tom Petty.

Lewes 2nds continued their winning ways under Captain Chris Jolley with a double-header bonus-point League/Cup semi-final win away to Heathfield 3rds by 28-21.
Scorers:
Tries: Lewis Austin, Ryan Byrne, Sam Ticehurst, Artie Gailly
Conversions: Josh Farr (2), Sam Ticehurst (2)
MoM - Sam Ticehurst

On Saturday, Lewes 1sts are at home again against lowly Sheppey, ko 2.00 pm - this match being preceded by a Club Lunch, details from Terry Powell on: 01273 812 775.